Page type: primary-anchored (mirrors Smart Export Guarantee Order 2019, SI 2019/1005)
Smart Export Guarantee Order (SI 2019/1005)
The Smart Export Guarantee Order 2019 is the statutory instrument underpinning the SEG scheme. It is a short Order (8 articles plus a Schedule) that sets the 5 MW capacity ceiling, gives Ofgem supervisory functions, and establishes AD sustainability verification criteria. The core SEG obligations on suppliers are in the Electricity Supply Licence (SLC 57-58), not in this Order.
Primary source: ~/knowledge/sources/legislation/uk/si-2019-1005-seg.md
Related: The scheme-level wiki page at seg.md covers all three SEG legal layers (Order, licence conditions, Ofgem guidance). This page covers only the statutory instrument.
Last updated: 2026-04-05
What the Order does
Three things:
- Sets the capacity threshold (Art 3): 5 MW total installed capacity. Installations above this cannot participate in the SEG.
- Gives Ofgem four functions (Arts 4-8): AD sustainability verification, guidance publication, annual licensee list, annual scheme report.
- Establishes AD sustainability criteria (Schedule): quarterly and annual reporting requirements for anaerobic digestion installations, with tightening GHG thresholds.
What the Order does NOT do
The Order delegates most SEG definitions to Schedule A to SLC 57 and contains no enforcement provisions. The core supplier obligations (offer a tariff, rate above zero, publish details) are in SLC 57 and SLC 58. Enforcement runs through the EA 1989 licence regime.
AD sustainability thresholds (Schedule)
| Period | Maximum GHG emissions |
|---|---|
| Before April 2020 | 66.7 grams per megajoule |
| April 2020 to April 2025 | 55.6 grams per megajoule |
| After April 2025 | 50.0 grams per megajoule |
AD installations of 1 MW or above must submit annual independent audit reports to ISAE 3000 (Revised) standard.
Commencement
Two phases: Articles 1, 2, and 5 from 1 October 2019 (allowing Ofgem to publish guidance); remaining provisions from 1 January 2020 (scheme launch date).
Cross-references
- SEG scheme operations, the full scheme wiki page
- Energy Act 2008, ss.41, 43: enabling powers
- Electricity Supply Licence SLC 57-58: core supplier obligations