Nominated Operator
Condition A5, Nominated Operator, is one of the 29 Ofgem heat network authorisation conditions. It applies to every authorised person, and is set out at Section A, Condition 5 of Ofgem’s Heat Network Authorisation Conditions decision of January 2026. Registration with Ofgem closes on 26 January 2027.
What this condition requires
Applies where two or more persons are treated as authorised to operate a relevant part of a network (5.1). Use reasonable endeavours to agree which operator acts as the contact point with Ofgem — the nominated operator — and to ensure Ofgem is notified of who that is (5.2). Note the duty is reasonable endeavours to agree, not an absolute requirement to reach agreement, and Ofgem does not prescribe the process. If you are the nominated operator, you must promptly pass information and notifications from Ofgem to the other operators, pass information from other operators to Ofgem, and provide the co-operation and coordination reasonably required for each operator to comply (5.3). If another entity is nominated, you must promptly provide it with information and notifications as reasonably required (5.4). These duties are additional to C1 (5.5).
Applies to
An authorised person that is one of two or more persons treated as operating part of the same network under regulation 13(4)(b).
Core requirement
The operators must agree a nominated operator, notify the Authority, and route information and co-operation through it.
Key obligations
5.2, use reasonable endeavours to agree the nominated operator and ensure the Authority is notified. 5.3, as nominated operator, relay information both ways promptly. 5.4, otherwise, give the nominated operator what it reasonably requires.
Evidence Ofgem will look for
- A record of the agreed nominated operator and of the notification to the Authority
- Information flowing through the nominated operator
- Co-operation arrangements sufficient for each operator to comply
Why this matters
Where a contractor exercises operating control alongside the authorised person, both are treated as operating. The exposure is treating shared control as a single operator position and registering on that basis.
The condition in full
Reproduced from Ofgem’s Heat Network Authorisation Conditions decision, January 2026, Appendix 2.
5.1 Paragraphs 5.2 to 5.5 apply for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of the Authority's functions where, in accordance with regulation 13(4)(b) of the Regulations, two or more persons are treated as authorised to operate a relevant part of a relevant heat network.
5.2 The authorised person must use reasonable endeavours to:
5.2.1 agree with the other operators which of them is to act as the contact point with the Authority on behalf of each of them in respect of the relevant heat network (the "nominated operator"); and
5.2.2 ensure that the Authority is notified of the agreed nominated operator.
5.3 Where the authorised person is the nominated operator for a relevant heat network, the authorised person must promptly provide:
5.3.1 information and notifications to the other operators of the relevant heat network following receipt of relevant information or notifications from the Authority;
5.3.2 information and notifications to the Authority following receipt of relevant information or notifications from another operator of the relevant heat network; and
5.3.3 such co-operation and coordination as may be reasonably required to ensure that each operator is able to comply efficiently and effectively with its obligations under the authorisation conditions and/or to facilitate the exercise of the Authority's functions.
5.4 Where another authorised person is the nominated operator for a relevant heat network, the authorised person must promptly provide information and notifications to the nominated operator as may be reasonably required.
5.5 The obligations in this condition are additional, and without prejudice, to the obligations in the authorisation condition C1 (Operator Standards of Conduct).
Does this apply to you?
Section A applies to every authorised person, so this condition applies to you regardless of whether you operate the network, supply heat over it, or both. The registration checker works out your full set in a few questions. Registration closes on 26 January 2027.