Energy Prices Act 2022

SCHEDULE 6 Time limits on the exercise of certain powers under this Act

Section 25 Domestic electricity price reduction schemes for Great Britain 1 (1) This paragraph applies to a domestic electricity price reduction scheme for Great Britain if that scheme, or any other such scheme, has been designated. (2) The scheme may not provide for the reduction of the amount charged for domestic electricity supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with 1 October 2022. (3) That period may be extended in accordance with paragraph 9. (4) In this paragraph “designated” means designated under section 2. Domestic gas price reduction schemes for Great Britain 2 (1) This paragraph applies to a domestic gas price reduction scheme for Great Britain if that scheme, or any other such scheme, has been designated. (2) The scheme may not provide for the reduction of the amount charged for domestic gas supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with 1 October 2022. (3) That period may be extended in accordance with paragraph 9. (4) In this paragraph “designated” means designated under section 3. Domestic electricity price reduction schemes for Northern Ireland 3 (1) This paragraph applies to a domestic electricity price reduction scheme for Northern Ireland if that scheme, or any other such scheme, has been designated. (2) The scheme may not provide for the reduction of the amount charged for domestic electricity supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the only or first scheme to be designated. (3) That period may be extended in accordance with paragraph 9. (4) In this paragraph— “designated” means designated under section 6; “operative date”, in relation to a designated scheme, means the first day on which domestic electricity supply takes place at a charge reduced in accordance with the scheme. Domestic gas price reduction schemes for Northern Ireland 4 (1) This paragraph applies to a domestic gas price reduction scheme for Northern Ireland if that scheme, or any other such scheme, has been designated. (2) The scheme may not provide for the reduction of the amount charged for domestic gas supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the only or first scheme to be designated. (3) That period may be extended in accordance with paragraph 9. (4) In this paragraph— “designated” means designated under section 7; “operative date”, in relation to a designated scheme, means the first day on which domestic gas supply takes place at a charge reduced in accordance with the scheme. Reduced energy charges for non-domestic customers in Great Britain 5 (1) Regulations under section 9(1) may not provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the first regulations made under section 9(1). (2) Additionally, regulations under section 9(1)— (a) may only provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply that takes place during a period of six months or less; (b) but may provide for the reduction of charge for electricity supply that takes place during up to four such periods; (c) must, if they provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply that takes place during more than one such period, provide for each period to begin immediately after the end of a preceding period. (3) Regulations under section 9(2) may not provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the first regulations made under section 9(2). (4) Additionally, regulations under section 9(2)— (a) may only provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during a period of six months or less; (b) but may provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during up to four such periods; (c) must, if they provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during more than one such period, provide for each period to begin immediately after the end of a preceding period. (5) In this paragraph— “operative date”, in relation to regulations under section 9(1) or (2), means the first day on which GB non-domestic electricity supply or gas supply takes place at a charge reduced in accordance with regulations made under that provision; “reduction of charges for electricity supply” means reducing the amounts that would otherwise be charged for GB non-domestic electricity supply by licensed electricity suppliers; “reduction of charges for gas supply” means reducing the amounts that would otherwise be charged for GB non-domestic gas supply by licensed gas suppliers. Reduced energy charges for non-domestic customers in Northern Ireland 6 (1) Regulations under section 11(1) may not provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the first regulations made under section 11(1). (2) Additionally, regulations under section 11(1)— (a) may only provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply that takes place during a period of six months or less; (b) but may provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply that takes place during up to four such periods; (c) must, if they provide for the reduction of charges for electricity supply that takes place during more than one such period, provide for each period to begin immediately after the end of a preceding period. (3) Regulations under section 11(2) may not provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply if that supply takes place after the end of the period of two years beginning with the operative date of the first regulations made under section 11(2). (4) Additionally, regulations under section 11(2)— (a) may only provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during a period of six months or less; (b) but may provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during up to four such periods; (c) must, if they provide for the reduction of charges for gas supply that takes place during more than one such period, provide for each period to begin immediately after the end of a preceding period. (5) In this paragraph— “operative date”, in relation to regulations under section 11(1) or (2), means the first day on which NI non-domestic electricity supply or gas supply takes place at a charge reduced in accordance with regulations made under that provision; “reduction of charges for electricity supply” means reducing the amounts that would otherwise be charged for NI non-domestic electricity supply by licensed electricity suppliers; “reduction of charges for gas supply” means reducing the amounts that would otherwise be charged for NI non-domestic gas supply by licensed gas suppliers. Power of the Secretary of State to give support for meeting energy costs etc 7 (1) The powers conferred by section 13 cease to be exercisable at the end of the period of three years and six months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed. (2) That period may be extended in accordance with paragraph 9. (3) Sub-paragraph (1) does not prevent the powers conferred by section 13 from being exercised in a manner that could have an effect (including through the creation of rights, privileges, obligations or liabilities) which continues after the period when the power is exercisable. Temporary requirement for electricity generators to make payments 8 (1) Regulations under section 16 may not require an electricity generator to make a periodic payment in respect of a period that expires after the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which this Act is passed. (2) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this paragraph so as to substitute a longer period for the period specified for the time being in sub-paragraph (1). (3) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative procedure. Extension of certain periods 9 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that any of the relevant time periods— (a) does not end at the time when it would otherwise end (whether by virtue of the original limitation or previous regulations under this paragraph), and (b) ends instead at such later time as is specified in the regulations. (2) Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) relating to a relevant time period must not provide for that period to end after the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the time when the relevant time period would otherwise have ended (whether by virtue of the original limitation or previous regulations under this paragraph). (3) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative procedure. (4) In this paragraph— “original limitation” means paragraph 1(2), 2(2), 3(2), 4(2) or 7(1); “relevant time period” means any of the periods (initially of two years’ length or three years and six months’ length) referred to in the original limitations.