Following the controversy of the first tranche of financial allocations under the Contracts for Difference scheme, the second such provision has been concluded. Back in 2014, the government was heavily criticised on two measures firstly its dismissal of onshore wind energy as a valid recipient of CfD funds and the failure to put the allocation […]
CMA Findings – The best quotes
The preliminary findings from the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the workings of the energy market threw up some surprising results, and some not so surprising. For every blow struck to Ofgem‘s regulatory leadership, there was a predictable recognition of customer apathy, for every paltry profit report there was tales of market disengagement. […]
Ofgem abandon TPI Code of Conduct
Well well well. We’d pretend to be surprised but we’d not be at all convincing. In a move no-one could possibly have predicted (Warning: sarcasm) Ofgem, the energy regulator, has given up on the idea of a TPI Code of Conduct and scurried away from long overdue action like a scalded rat or someone trying […]
CMA findings – Ofgem in the dock
It’s doubtful they expected this when calling for the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the workings of the energy market. But Ofgem have found themselves in the CMA’s sights as a root cause of the problems that exist within the market. It has long been the suspicion of market participants that Ofgem were […]
Scottish Power sales ban
Scottish Power have today been hit with a short term sales ban from the energy regulator, Ofgem. Scottish Power had agreed, as part of their improvement processes, to agree to a suspension of sales if Ofgem deemed that the set milestones for improvement were not reached. Whilst Scottish Power fulfilled all the objectives placed upon […]
CMA Findings – Where’s the profit?
Ofgem’s monthly SMI, Supply Market Indicators, are a controversial beast, pilloried and championed in seemingly equal measure. The regulator consistently claims healthy profit margins on behalf of the suppliers, the suppliers consistently accuse the regulator of wilful and inconsistent data manipulation, only then for the regulator to claim sleight of hand in suppliers’ transfer of […]
CMA Findings – No Big 6 break up on the horizon
Amongst the less trumpeted headlines from the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the energy market has been a very ssignificant finding. Whilst the headlines have been hogged by the spectre of energy suppliers ‘punishing’ loyal customers – we would say exploiting apathy – a much more significant conclusion has been drawn. The CMA […]
Comparison Website consumer champion claims described as “laughable”
They cannot claim they weren’t warned; after all it had been coming for some time. But now the unapologetically opaque dealings of the Big Five price comparison websites having been in the dock, metaphorically and literally since last Autumn, when revelations of endemic hiding of deals were first made public, are facing real public and […]
CMA – Theories of harm (Updated)
Back in August 2014, the nascent Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the workings of the energy market released its 4 theories of harm – the elements of the market that were perceived to encapsulate its biggest weaknesses and which were to be thoroughly investigated on their watch. Now, 6 months later, the CMA […]
British Gas results turn sour
It’s difficult being British Gas, it really is, like a lightning rod to public controversy, anything associated with the business is seemingly seized upon by politicians and market commentators alike. BT was another, but then they bought Premier League football, perhaps that’s where British Gas have gone wrong? Or maybe it’s their apparent commitment to […]