41.This Order grants a further time-limited exemption from the requirement to hold an electricity transmission licence to East Anglia One Limited (EAOL) in relation to the East Anglia One offshore wind farm. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) explains that under the current regulatory regime, so-called unbundling rules prevent offshore transmission and generation infrastructure being owned and operated by the same party. Transmission assets are transferred to an independent offshore transmission owner through a competitive tender in the course of an 18-month commissioning period, during which offshore generators are allowed to transmit electricity without a licence. After the end of the commissioning period, unlicenced transmission is no longer allowed.
42.During the pandemic, several time-limited exemptions from the requirement to hold a transmission licence were granted to generators, including EAOL, to account for delays in the transfer of assets caused by pandemic-related restrictions. EAOL subsequently requested a further time-limited exemption due to the ongoing disruption, and this Order grants this further exemption. It will end on the day after the transmission system for East Anglia One offshore wind farm is transferred to a successful bidder, or on 13 April 2023, whichever is earlier.