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

The Utility Regulator today publishes its latest Quarterly Transparency Report (QTR) for Quarter 2 (April to June) 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 60.1% of the domestic market. Electric Ireland have made considerable domestic gains this quarter and their total market share has increased from 41,494 to 54,944 connections. Click Energy have also continued to grow their market share which has increased from 22,858 to 26,128 connections.

Domestic customers continue to actively engage in the electricity market with over 28,253 switches completed during Q2 2017 which is a 3.6% quarterly switching rate (a decrease from 4.5% in Q1 2017). I&C electricity switching has increased to a switching rate of 2.2% (from 1.5% in the previous quarter). 

In the gas sector, there was a marked increase in switching activity in both the Greater Belfast and Ten Towns I&C market. There was a switching rate of 7.8% in Greater Belfast and 10.9% in the Ten Towns (compared to 1.7% and 1.5% respectively in Q1 2017). 

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

Sean.Murphy@uregni.gov.uk   

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.