ABOUT US
Semarts was established in response to a gap between the understanding and application of the obligations that apply to licence-exempt electricity distribution network operators. This gap means that many operators are exposed to regulatory and commercial risk – both through insufficient alignment with the requirements of Schedule 2ZA of the Electricity Act 1989, as well as charging and recovery frameworks that fail to recover allowable costs in full.
This combination of regulatory uncertainty and under-recovery makes long-term investment in energy infrastructure increasingly challenging – particularly where costs are rising and returns are slower or less certain.
Many private network operators are simultaneously increasing investment in both on-site and embedded renewable generation. Where Third Party Access (TPA) could be requested, changes in demand profiles relative to generation can affect the realisation of investment value and the recovery of network and generation-related costs.
At the same time, the operational teams responsible for running private networks are often not sufficiently resourced or structured to meet the expanding technical, governance and compliance requirements placed upon them.
That’s where Semarts comes in: to help address these challenges proactively. We clarify the regulatory obligations and design proportionate and compliant charging frameworks. We also advise on strategies to manage TPA, cost recovery and governance in a way that is commercially sustainable.
This allows us to bring structure, clarity and commercial discipline to your network’s decision-making, governance and long-term funding – before issues relating to dispute, regulatory scrutiny or material funding gaps can arise.
Core Principles
Clarity first
Before applying any methodology or modelling, we build our understanding of how your network actually operates – from its assets and configuration to users and risks.
A commercial mindset
We design recovery models that aim to support your sustainable cost recovery; protect long-term asset value; and avoid unintended cross-subsidy or distortion.
Tight compliance
The regulatory requirements are applied proportionately and purposefully, ensuring that any frameworks meet Ofgem expectations without unnecessary complication.
Practical delivery
Outputs are built to be transparent, auditable and usable by internal teams, supporting effective governance and confident decision-making.
Expertise
Semarts is intentionally niche, working exclusively with complex private electricity networks operating across airports, ports, industrial estates and large mixed-use environments.
Our expertise spans:
Ofgem-compliant tariff and charging methodologies
Third Party Access (TPA) strategy, assessment and governance
Asset-led cost recovery and investment frameworks
Strategic assurance for senior decision-makers
We operate at the intersection of regulation, infrastructure and commercial decision-making – where generic energy advice is often insufficient, but where clarity, credibility and compliance matter most.
Meet OUR FOUNDER
Nathan Masters, Founder & Principal Consultant
Nathan is an experienced energy and utilities professional with over a decade of experience spanning private electricity networks, supplier operations and consultancy.
Alongside Semarts, Nathan is currently Commercial Utilities Manager for Manchester Airports Group, where he oversees the management and recovery of utility costs for three major UK airports. His role covers a multi-site, eight-figure annual utilities portfolio, plus complex third-party recovery arrangements within highly regulated environments.
Nathan has spearheaded the development of Ofgem-accredited tariff methodologies; the establishment of in-house utility bureau operations; and the design of long-term energy procurement and hedging strategies. His experience spans network operation, settlement performance, billing, data integrity and asset management, providing a practical, end-to-end understanding of how private networks function in the real world, not just in theory. As a result, he has delivered multi-millions of pounds of recurring financial benefit – strengthening cost recovery, governance and commercial transparency across complex private networks.
All this underpins Semarts’ ability to translate the complex regulatory and technical requirements of today into clear, defensible and commercially-grounded advice for these infrastructure-intensive organisations.