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

The Quarterly Transparency Report (QTR) for Q4 2019 is the latest of a series of Utility Regulator reports that provide a range of information about the retail energy market 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.

QTR Q4 2019

 The key developments during quarter 4 are as follows:

• Market activity in the electricity domestic and I&C sectors continues to illustrate a gradual change in the market dynamics. Power NI (the incumbent price controlled electricity supplier) retain their dominant position with 55.7% of connections in the domestic market with continued growth of the competing suppliers.

• Electricity switching activity in Q4 2019 has increased from the previous quarter. Domestic customers continue to engage in the electricity market with over 37,000 switches completed during Q4 2019, compared to 25,000 the previous quarter. There was notable increase in Budget Energy’s connections for this quarter (>11,000). I&C electricity switching also increased to a switching rate of 5.0% (from 1.6% in the previous quarter), with over 3,700 switches completed. 

• In the gas sector, I&C switching activity decreased in Greater Belfast with the I&C switching rate decreasing from 1.0% in Q3 2019 to 0.8% in Q4 2019. However, the I&C switching rate for Ten Towns increased from 0.9% to 1.3% for the same period.

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

Direct Tel: +44 (0) 28 9031 6332

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