Gas and Power Limited – Notice of revocation of an electricity supply licence | Ofgem

NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF A LICENCE PURSUANT TO SECTION 6 OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 WITH REASONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 49A

Notice of Revocation and Reasons for Decision

Whereas

1. Gas and Power Limited (company registration number 09735925), having its registered office at 3b Edward Vii Quay, Navigation Way, Preston, England, PR2 2YF (the “Company”), is the holder of an Electricity Supply Licence (the “Licence”) granted or treated as granted under Section 6(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 1989 (the “Act”).

2. Section 6(8) of the Act provides that a licence granted or treated as granted under the Act may be revoked in accordance with any term contained in it.

3. Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) to the Licence provides that the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the “Authority”) may at any time revoke the Licence on giving not less than 24 hours’ notice where the licensee is unable to pay its debts (within the meaning of section 123(1) or (2) of the Insolvency Act 1986).

4. On 10 August 2021, the Authority made an application to the Chancery Division of the High Court (the “Court”) under Part 8 of the Civil Procedure Rules for a declaration to the effect that:

4.1 the Company is unable to pay its debts (within the meaning of section 123(1)(e) and (2) of the Insolvency Act 1986); and

4.2 therefore the condition as set out in Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence is satisfied.

5. On 11 August 2021, the Court issued an order making a declaration to the effect set out in paragraph 3 above and, therefore, the Authority is satisfied that Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence applies.

6. For the following reasons, the Authority has decided that, in order to protect the interests of consumers, it is appropriate to give notice to revoke the Licence (with effect from 00:01 on 13 August 2021) in accordance with Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence:

6.1 given that the Company is unable to pay its debts, the Authority is not satisfied that the Company will be able to continue to provide or otherwise procure the services necessary for supplying electricity to its customers or to pay charges under the industry arrangements;

6.2 the Authority has decided to initiate the process to appoint a supplier of last resort (“SoLR”) pursuant to its powers under condition 8 of the Standard Conditions for Electricity Supply, in order to ensure continuity of supplies of electricity to the Company’s customers, and payment of appropriate charges from the date on which the SoLR direction takes effect; and

6.3 the revocation of the Licence would ultimately be necessary for SoLR arrangements to come into effect.

7. Therefore

8. The Authority hereby gives notice that, unless the Authority otherwise directs, with effect from 00:01 on 13 August 2021, the Licence shall be revoked.

Lesley Nugent

Duly authorised on behalf of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority

11 August 2021

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