Energy Act 2023

Initial period

21 (1) The regulations may make provision with respect to persons carrying on a regulated activity in relation to a relevant heat network during a period that—

(a) begins with the day on which any regulations made by virtue of paragraph 12 come into force, and

(b) ends with a day specified in the regulations.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) provide for the period to be prolonged, or to be prolonged as it relates to a description of heat network authorisations, by the Regulator;

(b) require the consent of the Secretary of State or the Department (as the case may be) to such an alteration.

(3) Regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) may—

(a) provide for a person carrying on a regulated activity in relation to a relevant heat network to be treated as holding a heat network authorisation in relation to that activity and that relevant heat network during the period described in sub-paragraph (1) (or, if applicable, during that period as prolonged by virtue of sub-paragraph (2));

(b) make provision as to the conditions of the heat network authorisation treated as conferred on such a person (including provision similar to the provision described in paragraph 14(2));

(c) require a person carrying on a regulated activity in relation to a relevant heat network to apply to the Regulator for a heat network authorisation to be conferred on the person by a time specified in or determined under the regulations.

(4) Regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(c) may provide for different times for different descriptions of case.