EMR still a source of headaches for energy consultants

Almost eight out of ten energy consultants (79%) say they want a better understanding of energy policy and legislation, with the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) identified as the main area […]

Almost eight out of ten energy consultants (79%) say they want a better understanding of energy policy and legislation, with the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) identified as the main area of concern, according to a new report from npower.

Contracts for Difference was the least understood section of the EMR. Nearly seven in ten (69%) said they wanted to know more about this part of the reforms. Another 57% said they needed more information about the Capacity Mechanism and consultants felt most at ease with the Carbon Price Floor as just under half (49%) said they needed a better understanding of this.

The survey also found more than three quarters (78%) of the 60 senior consultants surveyed wanted extra support from energy suppliers and 63% said a single point of contact would be the best way to help.

Three fifths (58%) of those questioned wanted to expand their knowledge of flexible pricing and 35% thought it was risky option for their customers. Although four fifths said they offered some form of flexible pricing, a quarter said they did not offer bespoke energy procurement and more than a third (36%) said they do not provide ‘basket’ or ‘fund’ arrangements.

Speaking to ELN, Chris Billing, Head of Indirect Sales at npower said: “Consultants do understand customers’ needs. There’s no doubt about that. But because of the complexity of EMR and legislation going on at the moment it’s something that you need to spend a lot of resources on in order to be able to understand it fully and also communicate the key points to the customers and end users.”

A survey conducted by ELN during a recent webinar found 78% wanted more information of the government’s new legislation, with 19% saying they weren’t fully aware of the EMR.

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