Energy trade groups are planning to join forces in a new “broader and more representative” industry body. The merger has been on the cards for a while, with the Association of Electricity Producers (AEP) wanting to present a “stronger and more coherent voice” for industry.

The energy trade association landscape needs a re-jig, said David Porter, AEP’s chief executive of the body which represents the UK’s energy makers. Teaming up with the Energy Retail Association (ERA), which speaks for energy suppliers, and the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy (UKBCSE), which brings together senior executives from across the energy industry, could smooth out the crossover between bodies.

The move comes at a time when the energy market faces its biggest shake up in a generation, with the Government’s electricity market reform.

Announcing the plans yesterday after the AEP’s annual general meeting, Mr Porter said: “With important challenges ahead, the industry has been considering how it interacts with the wide range of stakeholders we engage with. Members of the Association of Electricity Producers have today (3 November) voted in favour of creating a broader and more representative industry body.”

An overwhelming 92% of votes were in favour of merging the trade associations. The ERA and UKBCSE will now ask their boards if they approve of the merger.

But not everyone intends to join the new group. The Energy Networks Association has said from the beginning that it is not interested because it has different members and a different set up from the other bodies.