Latest quarterly transparency report on NI’s retail energy market published

The Utility Regulator today publishes its latest Quarterly Transparency Report (QTR) for Quarter 4 (October to December) 2017.

We publish retail market Quarterly Transparency Reports at the end of February, May, August and November each year. The reports provide a range of information about the electricity and gas energy supply markets in Northern Ireland. The QTR presents data collected by the UR as part of the Retail Energy Market Monitoring (REMM) framework. REMM requires network companies and suppliers to submit data on a range of indicators to enhance UR transparency around market behaviours and regulatory compliance. We use the information outlined in the report to review the progress and impact of supply competition; build knowledge for regulatory decisions; comply with EU Third Package mandatory requirements on market monitoring; allow other interested stakeholders to understand more readily the activity within our energy markets; and to help promote the interests of consumers.

EU pricing comparative data within the report is sourced from Eurostat, and can be influenced by exchange rate movements as well as underlying prices and costs.

Market activity in the electricity domestic and I&C sectors continues to illustrate a change in the market dynamics. Power NI (the incumbent price controlled electricity supplier) retain their dominant position with 58.7% of connections in the domestic market with continued growth of the competing suppliers.

Domestic customers continue to actively engage in the electricity market with 28,700 switches completed during Q4 2017 which is a 3.6% quarterly switching rate (an increase from 3.3% in Q2 2017). I&C electricity switching increased to a switching rate of 2.7% (from 1.4% in the previous quarter).

In the gas sector, I&C switching activity increased marginally in both the Greater Belfast and Ten Towns I&C market. The I&C switching rate was 2.3% in Greater Belfast and 2.2% in the Ten Towns (compared to 1.5% and 1.8% respectively in Q3 2017).

Any comments or queries in relation to this paper should be made to:

Direct Tel: +44 (0) 28 9031 6332

Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.