Spark Energy Supply Limited - Notice of revocation of a gas supply licence
Licence revocation
- Publication date
- Company
- Spark Energy Supply Limited
- Industry sector
- Supply and Retail Market
Notice of Revocation and Reasons for Decision
Whereas
Spark Energy Supply Limited (company registration number 05857467), having its registered office at Regent House, 316 Beulah Hill Upper Norwood, London, SE19 3HF (“Spark”), is the holder of an Gas Supply Licence (the “Licence”) granted or treated as granted under Section 7A(1)(a) of the Gas Act 1986 (the “Act”).
1. Section 7B(3) 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.
2. 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 it is unable to pay its debts (within the meaning of section 123(1) or (2) of the Insolvency Act 1986).
3. On 23 November 2018, 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:
3.1. Spark is unable to pay its debts (within the meaning of section 123(1)(e) of the Insolvency Act 1986); and
3.2. therefore the condition, as set out in Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence is satisfied.
4. On 26 November 2018, the Court issued an order making a declaration to the effect set out in paragraph 4 above and, therefore, the Authority is satisfied that Schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence applies.
5. 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 05:01 on 28 November 2018) in accordance with schedule 2(1)(f)(i) of the Licence:
5.1. given that Spark 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 gas to its customers or to pay charges under the industry arrangements;
5.2. 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 Gas Supply, in order to ensure continuity of supplies of gas to Spark’s customers, and payment of appropriate charges from the date on which the SoLR direction takes effect; and
5.3. the revocation of the Licence would ultimately be necessary for SoLR arrangements to come into effect.
Therefore
6. The Authority hereby gives notice that, unless the Authority otherwise directs, with effect from 05:01 on 28 November 2018, the Licence shall be revoked.
The Official seal of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority here affixed is authenticated by – Philippa Pickford
Authorised in that behalf by the Authority