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Good Progress On Electricity Competition But No Switching Yet

Thursday 1 November 2007

Consumers are a significant step closer to being able to switch electricity supplier with today's opening of our domestic electricity market to competition. On the same day, the introduction of the all island Single Electricity Market (SEM) should bring lower prices, more competition and a secure supply of electricity to consumers north and south of the border. However the Consumer Council voiced caution in raising consumers’ expectations about what this actually means because the benefits for consumers will only become clearer to them over time.

Sinead Dynan, Head of Energy at the Consumer Council said: ” We applaud the progress made by the two Governments, regulators, suppliers and consumer representatives in setting the framework for consumers to shop around for a better deal on their electricity.  However, more work needs to be done to turn the framework into a reality for consumers.  Although all the systems are now in place, the fact is that even if consumers wanted to, they can’t switch electricity suppliers today.  So far, no new suppliers have entered the market to challenge the two dominant companies - NIE in Northern Ireland and ESB in the Republic of Ireland.

“There is a need for Governments and regulators to re-double efforts to ensure that these changes result in a truly open and competitive market that gives consumers more choice within a fair, affordable and secure electricity supply.  The Northern Ireland gas market is already open to competition, yet many months on, there are no new suppliers and nothing has changed for consumers who still can’t shop around for a better deal.  The electricity market must not be allowed to go the same way.”

The Consumer Council has been at the forefront of ensuring that the SEM is about people, not markets.  We will continue to play a positive and visionary role in ensuring that it is developed further to work for consumers.

  1. Consumer Council media contact: Susie Brown, telephone, 028 9067 4807 or e-mail, sbrown@consumercouncil.org.uk.  
  2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about electricity, natural gas, coal, passenger transport and water.
  3. For more information, visit our website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk

Changing electricity supplier to your home

What is market opening?

(NIE is the currently the only supplier of electricity to homes in Northern Ireland and therefore you can’t switch supplier to another company).

However, from 1 November, new companies are allowed to enter the market to supply electricity to homes in Northern Ireland.

Can I switch now the market is open?

No, not yet because as yet, no other companies have entered the market to compete with NIE. Until they do, NIE will continue to be your supplier. We hope that new companies will enter the market and when this happens you will have a choice of supplier.

Are there any other changes?

NIE’s name will change to NIE energy, but you will still receive the same service as before.

What happens next?

Keep an eye out for any information about new suppliers. Keep visiting our website as we will post any updates here.

When new companies enter the market, you can start shopping around to compare prices and service and consider switching. 


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