The role for demand-side management in the UK

The Electricity Act, 1989 established the position of the Director General of Electricity Supply and the Office of Electricity Regulation, which he heads. Promotion of energy efficiency is covered specifically by section 41 of the Act. This section requires that the Director, after appropriate consultation, shall: (1) determine such standards of performance in connection with the promotion of the efficient use of electricity by consumers as, in his opinion, ought to be achieved by suppliers; and (2) arrange for the publication, in such form and such manner as he considers appropriate, of the standards so determined. Here, the author presents the several ways in which DSM can be promoted and details how the Director General has to achieve a proper balance of his responsibilities, and support such moves provided they fit within his overall remit