55APowers of entry—electricity works and meters

55A Powers of entry—electricity works and meters

55A Powers of entry—electricity works and meters

(1) An authorised officer of a network operator may enter premises for the purpose of exercising the following functions—

(a) carrying out preliminary investigations in connection with the proposed installation or extension of electricity works,

(b) reading electricity meters.

(2) An authorised officer of a retailer may enter the premises of a customer for the following purposes—

(a) reading, testing, maintaining, inspecting or altering any meter installed at the premises,

(b) calculating or measuring energy supplied or taken at the premises,

(c) checking the accuracy of metered consumption at the premises,

(d) replacing meters,

(e) any other purpose prescribed by the regulations relating to metering.

(3) A power of entry to premises under this section may be exercised—

(a) if there is a problem with a meter on the premises that poses a risk to safety, by an authorised officer of a retailer—at any time, or

(b) otherwise—only during daylight hours.

(4) In exercising a power under this section, an authorised officer must do as little damage as possible.

(5) Without limiting subsection (4) and as far as practicable, entry onto fenced land—

(a) is to be made through an existing opening in the fence, or

(b) if entry through an existing opening is not practicable—

(i) through a new opening, and

(ii) the new opening is to be properly closed when the need for entry ends.

(6) In this section—

authorised officer of a network operator or retailer has the meaning given by the Electricity Supply Act 1995, section 94.

s 55A: Ins 2021 No 21, Sch 4.2[3].