Ofgem’s rigorous new standards of conduct to ensure energy suppliers are treating consumers fairly have come into force this week. The new rules have been introduced as part of the first stage of the energy regulator’s Retail Market Review (RMR) reforms to make the market “simpler, clearer and fairer” for consumers. They cover a range […]

Farmers growing cannabis in the UK aren’t dope with suppliers – they’ve been nicking electricity from suppliers to power their plant hothouses. Up to one third of the electricity stolen each year goes towards powering cannabis farms according to figures from suppliers which is why the regulator Ofgem today put forward new rules for energy […]

The possibility of Britain facing power shortages could significantly rise towards the middle of the decade as ageing power plants retire. Industry regulator Ofgem warned spare electricity power production capacity could fall to 2% by 2015, increasing the risk of blackouts in that year to around 1 in 12 years from 1 in 47 years […]

Detailed tough new standards for energy suppliers to make the market simpler and help consumers find the best deal has been published today. The reforms are part of Ofgem’s plans for a “simpler, clearer and fairer” market and will tackle problems of consumer confusion over energy tariffs, poor supplier behaviour and lack of transparency in […]

Energy regulator Ofgem has been given new powers to protect wholesale gas and electricity markets from abuse. The watchdog will now be able to access information, inspect premises and impose unlimited fines for those who break the law as part of the EU Regulation of Wholesale Energy Markets and Transparency (REMIT) and will come into […]

A new man will temporarily pick up the lead at energy watchdog Ofgem in June, it was announced today. When chief executive Alistair Buchanan steps down, the regulator’s current Head of Markets Andrew Wright (pictured) will take over as interim chief executive from 28 June. He will have to shepherd the regulator through choppy waters […]

E.ON unveiled plans to “reset” its prices and practices today to put customers at the “very heart” of its business, a week after British Gas brought in a simpler tariff structure. Following E.ON’s pledge earlier this year not to increase its prices in 2012, the firm intends to bring in one sheet bills and simplify […]

Gas theft could cost the UK around £138 million a year or £6 per household, according to Ofgem. The energy regulator has announced new measures to tackle gas theft. It has proposed a new licence condition, which will require suppliers to detect and prevent thefts. Ofgem will also set minimum standards for theft investigations, which […]

Ofgem today brought out a new roadmap for the electricity market to try and force the Big Six to make room for other suppliers. The regulator laid out a number of changes to the way it wants suppliers to buy and sell wholesale power. Chiefly Ofgem wants independent suppliers to be able to buy more […]

Ofgem’s chief declared he is “optimistic” about the future for consumers at the House of Commons yesterday. The energy watchdog’s head Alistair Buchanan told MPs on the Energy Select Committee that the industry has experienced a real “wake-up call” in the last couple of months. The comments come amid government plans for the biggest market […]