Generation - responsible for generating the energy we use in our homes and businesses. Although historically, electricity generation was mainly derived from coal consumption, the UK generating industry has moved to a variety of generation methods - nuclear, gas etc. Generated electricity flows into the transmission network and through to the regional Distribution networks.
Transmission - responsible for maintaining and operating the high-voltage transmission network. This network carries large amounts of power from the generators to the distribution networks - similar to the motorways of the country's road networks. There are three transmission licence holders in Great Britain - Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern Energy in Scotland, National Grid in England and Wales.
Distributors - are the owners and operators of the network of towers and cables that bring electricity from the high-voltage transmission Network to homes and businesses. Even so, they are not the organisations that sell electricity to the end consumer. This is carried out by organisations who make use of the distribution networks to pass the energy commodity to your property - the suppliers.
Suppliers - are the companies who supply and sell electricity to the consumer. The suppliers are the first point of contact when arranging an electricity supply to domestic, commercial and smaller industrial premises