(1)  An electricity safety officer may, at any reasonable time, enter and remain on any land or premises where electricity infrastructure of an electricity entity is situated –

(a) to carry out preliminary investigations in connection with the safety of the infrastructure; or

(b) to carry out inspection, testing and emergency repair of the infrastructure; or

(c) to protect the property of the electricity entity; or

(d) to investigate a suspected theft or loss of electricity, or interference with property; or

(e) to take action to prevent or reduce the risk of accident; or

(f) to isolate any unsafe electricity infrastructure or any unsafe electrical installation.

(2)  If an electricity safety officer for an electricity entity seeks to enter any land or premises under this section and entry is refused or obstructed, the electricity entity, by written notice to the occupier of the land or premises, is to seek consent to enter the land or premises as required by the electricity safety officer.

(3)  A notice seeking consent to enter land or premises under subsection (2) must state the reason for, and the date and time of, the proposed entry.

(4)  The time and date of proposed entry must be reasonable.

(5)  If an electricity safety officer enters any land or premises under this section, the electricity safety officer –

(a) may be accompanied by such assistants as the electricity safety officer considers necessary or appropriate; and

(b) may take any vehicles, machinery or equipment that the electricity safety officer considers necessary or appropriate; and

(c) must do as little damage as possible and act so as to minimise the impact of work carried out by the electricity safety officer on the activities of other persons on the land or premises.

(6)  If entry is refused, or obstructed, after a notice is given under subsection (2) , the electricity entity may obtain a warrant to enter the land or premises.

(7)  An electricity safety officer must be accompanied by a police officer –

(a) when entering any land or premises with the authority of a warrant; and

(b) if it is practicable to do so, when entering any land or premises by force in an emergency.

(8)  Subject to this section, an electricity entity must make good any damage caused by the exercise of powers under this section as soon as practicable or pay reasonable compensation for the damage, unless such damage is a direct result of the actions of the owner.

(9)  If the occupier of the land or premises and the electricity entity do not agree as to the extent of compensation, the claim for compensation is to be determined –

(a) if it is a minor civil claim within the meaning of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 , by the Magistrates Court (Civil Division); or

(b) in any other case, as if it were a disputed claim for compensation under the Land Acquisition Act 1993 .