The Annual Transparency Report (ATR) for 2018 and Quarterly Transparency Report (QTR) for Q2 2019 are the latest in a series of Utility Regulator reports that provide a range of information about the retail energy market in Northern Ireland.
The QTR and ATR 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 Q2 2019
The semester 2 (July to December) 2018 electricity pricing data is sourced from Eurostat and individual supplier’s submissions under the REMM framework. The current pricing data illustrates the following:
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- 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 56.3% of connections in the domestic market with continued growth of the competing suppliers.
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- Electricity switching activity in Q2 2019 has decreased from the previous quarter. Domestic customers continue to engage in the electricity market with over 24,600 switches completed during Q2 2019 which is a 3.0% quarterly switching rate. I&C electricity switching decreased to a switching rate of 1.5% (from 1.6% in the previous quarter), with over 1,100 switches completed.
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- In the gas sector, I&C switching activity increased in both the Greater Belfast and Ten Towns I&C market. The I&C switching rate was 4.7% in Greater Belfast and 12.1% in the Ten Towns (compared to 0.5% and 0.5% respectively in Q1 2019).
ATR 2018
The 2018 ATR merges the relevant quarterly information for the calendar year from the Quarterly Transparency Reports (QTRs) and is therefore the summation of Quarter 1 through to Quarter 4 for 2018.
Any comments or queries in relation to this paper should be made to:
John Magill
Utility Regulator
Queens House
14 Queen Street
Belfast BT1 6ED
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.