26/11/2010

Ofgem To Review Energy Market

Ofgem's latest analysis of retail prices, published today, shows that the margin on a standard dual fuel tariff is now around £90, an increase of 38 per cent from September.

Whilst Ofgem would expect efficient firms to make a profit, it wants clarity on behalf of consumers that the market is transparent and is working as effectively as possible. This is why Ofgem will review the retail energy market to decide if further changes are needed to ensure the market works in the interests of consumers and to increase transparency in the energy market.

As part of this review it will investigate the retail accounts, recently received by Ofgem under new licence requirements.

Ofgem's Chief Executive, Alistair Buchanan, said: "With Britain facing an investment bill of £200 billion over the next 10 years, consumers have the right to expect that the energy retail market is providing them with value for money. Our analysis published today shows an increase in company margins from £65 to £90 at a time of rising energy prices, which causes Ofgem to rightly ask if companies are playing it straight with

consumers.

"The energy retail market can only be fully effective if consumers have confidence that the market is transparent and easy to take part in. So we will go beyond our usual quarterly reports on prices and do a comprehensive review of the retail market and our recent reforms from the consumers' perspective. We will also carry out a detailed investigation of the newly available retail accounts and the facts behind these numbers.

"Greater transparency in the market is good for consumers, investors and for the energy industry as a whole."

(CD/GK)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 March 2009
Ofgem Unveils New Rules For Energy Suppliers
Energy regulator Ofgem has unveiled a package of new rules for energy suppliers that will give consumers more power and help to seal the flaws in the retail market identified in the regulator's market probe. The proposed measures will make the market work better for all energy consumers including vulnerable households and small businesses.
27 March 2014
'Big Six' Energy Firms To Face Competition Inquiry
Ofgem has acted to remove uncertainty from the energy market by proposing a market investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). A market investigation will once and for all clear the air and allow the CMA to ensure that there are no further barriers to effective competition.
04 April 2013
Ofgem To Fine SSE £10.5m
Ofgem has announced it will fine energy company SSE as much as £10.5m for misselling. The energy watchdog said it would fine SSE for "numerous breaches of its obligations relating to telephone, in-store and doorstep sales activities".
19 October 2012
Ofgem Consults Plans To Improve Competitiveness Of Household Energy Market
Ofgem is consulting on plans for a package of simpler, clearer, fairer measures to improve radically the competitiveness of the household energy market. This follows a commitment to tackle problems of tariff complexity, poor supplier behaviour and lack of transparency identified in its review of the retail market.
26 June 2014
CMA Announce Energy Market Investigation
An investigation into the energy market is to be carried out by the Competition Markets Authority (CMA). Ofgem referred the probe to the CMA following a consultation. Dermot Nolan, Ofgem Chief Executive, said:  "Now is the right time to refer the energy market to the CMA for the benefit of consumers.