What is a letter of authority for energy data?

A letter of authority gives a named third party permission to act for your energy account within its stated scope [S1]. Government guidance lets non-domestic customers nominate third parties to request up to 12 months of smart or advanced meter history free [S2]. Check access, expiry and signing powers before authorising a recipient. Checked October 2026.

Last checked 19 October 2026

What is a letter of authority for your energy account?

A letter of authority, or LoA, is permission for a named third party to act for your energy account within the document’s scope [S1]. Why it matters for your site: an assessment needs access to records, so check that the authority matches the task you intend to delegate.

You might authorise receipt of half-hourly consumption, billing history or contract details. Do not assume that every document headed LoA grants the same powers. Citizens Advice tells businesses to read it carefully to understand what the representative can do [S1].

Who should sign and what should the letter cover?

Arrange signature by the account holder or someone with confirmed authority to act for that business. Check the supplier’s signatory requirements first. As a separate example, the Energy Ombudsman’s complaint process requires authority from the account holder before dealing with a representative [S3]. This does not create a universal signatory rule for every supplier.

For a data-only assessment, request wording that identifies:

• Your account holder, site and relevant meter points.
• The named recipient, records, date range and assessment purpose.
• An expiry date and how to withdraw permission.
• Any onward sharing, fees, exclusivity or powers to agree contracts.

Ask your solicitor to check wording that would allow signing, renewal or termination. Keep a copy of the signed version and request acknowledgement of any later withdrawal.

What data can your nominated recipient request?

In Great Britain, government guidance provides free access on request to up to 12 months of historic smart or advanced meter energy-use data, including for nominated third parties [S2]. An LoA cannot create readings that the meter never recorded.

Use the interval-data request template, then read half-hourly interval data to check the file.

Next step

Start at cut energy costs, then get matched with an installer that covers your area.

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