The Utility Regulator and the Commission for Energy Regulation have today jointly issued a research report on consumer attitudes to, and awareness of, electricity supply competition and associated issues. The two regulatory authorities (RAs), decided to undertake the research project to better understand consumer attitudes to electricity supply competition and to better inform policy making in this area.
To further develop the strategy towards the emerging energy competition issues, the RA’s need to fully understand what consumers perceive as benefits coming from competition, and which aspects of competition they most value. The RAs are keen to understand the drivers, both price and non-price related, that motivate consumers to be active participants in the retail market, and to identify any barriers that may exist, such as lack of awareness or confusion about the opportunities for switching.
Therefore, both RA’s have cooperated and concluded on market research on residential and business consumer attitudes and experiences of the electricity market across the island of Ireland. This research fieldwork covers domestic as well as industrial and commercial customers in both Northern Ireland and the RoI.
The research included the following areas:
- attitudes to supply services and general awareness of competition;
- switching and the experience of the switching process;
- consumer interest in variable tariffs including annual/bi-annual/quarterly tariff reviews; and
- consumer interest in dual fuel and smart meters offerings in the context of switching.
The research shows results for the three identified customer sectors (residential, small and medium sized enterprises and large energy users) across the two jurisdictions, north and south, and thus allows both analysis within and between jurisdictions.
For further information, please contact:
Elena Ardines
Utility Regulator
Queens House
14 Queen Street
BELFAST
BT1 6ED
Email - elena.ardines@uregni.gov.uk
Fergus O’Toole
Commission for Energy Regulation
The Exchange
Belgard Square North
Tallaght
Dublin 24
Email - fotoole@cer.ie