Supply

The term “retail” is used to refer to the part of the energy market that “supplies” customers. Electricity and gas are purchased from the wholesale market and transported to businesses and homes through the electricity and gas networks. Retailers or suppliers are the companies that purchase the gas or electricity on the wholesale market and pay the transportation costs before selling it at a final total price to consumers.

The Retail Directorate focuses on retail competition and consumer protection and covers the following areas:

• Consumer protection (including protection for vulnerable consumers)
• Codes of practice
• Retail Energy Market Monitoring (REMM) and market information
• Supply licence compliance and enforcement
• Supply price controls
• Regulated tariffs