Energy terms explained

These include the costs to build, maintain and operate the gas pipes and electricity wires run by the network companies who transport energy to your property. 

Suppliers are charged by network companies for this, and pass on this cost to their customers. We limit network costs carefully though price controls. This is because you can't normally choose which network company you use.

Back to Energy market facts and figures

Network operators run the pipes and wires that bring gas and electricity to our homes and businesses. There are different owners in different parts of Great Britain. The exception is gas transmission, which is owned and operated by National Grid Gas.

Transmission network operators take energy from gas fields or power plants where it is generated and carry it on big pipes or cables nationwide and to distribution networks.

Distribution network operators run the smaller pipes or wires that take energy locally to homes and businesses. You'll usually contact them if you have a power cut or supply problem.

An entrant that does not have an incumbent customer base.

A tariff that is not a Time of Use (ToU) tariff.