energy news

Consumer Focus’ response to Ofgem Project Discovery conclusions


4th February, 2010

Consumer Focus' response to Ofgem Project Discovery conclusions

Consumer Focus welcomes Ofgem's willingness to consider some fundamental reforms to help secure future energy supply. However, the consumer champion is calling for the welfare of consumers to be at the heart of its decision making.

Responding to Ofgem's conclusions from its Project Discovery research, Richard Hall, energy expert for Consumer Focus, said:

‘We are entering an age of energy anxiety and we welcome Ofgem's consideration of a broad set of options to secure reliable supply in the future. However safeguarding consumers' welfare, especially those on low incomes, must be paramount.

‘The next steps are vital. The impact on consumers of each option must be properly costed. The unintended consequences for consumers must be fully understood. Ofgem should apply its intention to provide a sound basis for the energy market to the wholesale sector which currently distorts consumer prices and has the potential to make future price rises far worse than they need to be.

‘We have called for a Competition Commission inquiry into the wholesale electricity sector. A thorough competition review is needed to bring transparency and open competition to a part of the market that acts against a fair deal for consumers.

‘Fixing the broken elements in the energy market is not a distraction to the challenges facing Ofgem in Project Discovery, it is a prerequisite of their successful resolution for consumers and integral to ensuring an element of fairness in the prices consumers will be asked to pay.'



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