Provision of Information to the Authority
Condition A9, Provision of Information to the Authority, is one of the 29 Ofgem heat network authorisation conditions. It applies to every authorised person, and is set out at Section A, Condition 9 of Ofgem’s Heat Network Authorisation Conditions decision of January 2026. Registration with Ofgem closes on 26 January 2027.
What this condition requires
Imposes two duties, each triggered by a request from Ofgem. First, on receiving a request from Ofgem for information it considers necessary or expedient for performing its functions, provide that information (9.1) — in the Form requested, by the manner and means requested, at the time or intervals requested, and in accordance with any guidance referred to in the request (9.2). This is the mechanism through which regular data reporting is required, but it equally covers ad hoc requests. Second, on receiving a request for reasoned comments on the accuracy and text of information Ofgem proposes to publish under regulation 12, provide those comments in the Form, manner, means and time requested (9.5). Exception: no obligation to produce information that could not be compelled in evidence in civil proceedings (9.3). These powers are additional to Ofgem's other information-gathering powers (9.4).
Applies to
Every authorised person. This condition underpins Regular Data Reporting.
Core requirement
On request, the authorised person must provide the information the Authority considers necessary or expedient, in the form and at the time requested.
Key obligations
9.1, provide the information requested. 9.2, in the form, manner and timing requested. 9.5, reasoned comments on information the Authority proposes to publish.
Evidence Ofgem will look for
- A data collection regime capturing the Regular Data Reporting fields from 1 April 2026, the start of the first reporting year
- An internal close that leaves a buffer before Authority deadlines
- A log of requests received and responses made
Why this matters
Reporting is the authorised person's duty, wherever the data sits. If a contractor holding the data cannot produce it, the return is missed, and a reporting failure is itself an enforcement trigger.
The condition in full
Reproduced from Ofgem’s Heat Network Authorisation Conditions decision, January 2026, Appendix 2.
9.1 After receiving a request from the Authority for Information that it considers may be necessary or expedient for the performance of any of its functions, the authorised person must give that Information to the Authority.
9.2 The Information provided by the authorised person pursuant to paragraph 9.1 must be provided:
9.2.1 in the Form requested;
9.2.2 in the manner and by the means requested;
9.2.3 at such time, or such intervals of time, as requested; and
9.2.4 in accordance with any applicable guidance issued by the Authority and referred to in the request.
9.3 The authorised person is not required to comply with paragraph 9.1 if the authorised person could not be compelled to produce or give the Information in evidence in civil proceedings before a court.
9.4 The Authority's power to request Information under this authorisation condition is additional to its powers to call for Information under or pursuant to any other authorisation condition or the Regulations.
Provision of reasoned comments to the Authority
9.5 After receiving a request from the Authority for reasoned comments on the accuracy and text of any Information which the Authority proposes to publish under regulation 12 of the Regulations, the authorised person must give such comments to the Authority in the Form requested, in the manner and by the means requested, and at such time requested.
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.