Letter by the Energy Retail Association
EVIDENCE SESSION WITH MINISTER FOR ENERGY,
31 JANUARY
The Energy Retail Association (ERA), formed
in 2003, represents the electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic
market in Great Britain. The ERA works closely with government,
NGOs, charities and other organisations in England, Scotland and
Wales to ensure a coordinated approach to dealing with the key
issues affecting our industry and the British consumer. The main
energy suppliers operating in the residential market in Great
Britain are members of the association—British Gas, EDF
Energy, RWE npower, E.on, ScottishPower, and Scottish and Southern
Energy. Our members represent over 99% of the domestic market;
the remainder is comprised of niche suppliers such as green energy
and internet-based providers.
The ERA's aim is to improve continually customers'
experiences with their electricity and gas suppliers. This means
that when we meet with our members, we lead on high level policy
issues such as tackling fuel poverty and protecting vulnerable
customers; delivering energy efficiency schemes; developing standards
on operational matters eg billing and doorstep sales.
Since its inception, the ERA has improved industry
performance when dealing with customers in the areas of customer
transfers, doorstep sales (leading to the establishment of the
EnergySure accreditation scheme) and billing (with the creation
of the Code of Practice for Accurate Bills and the Energy
Ombudsman).
The ERA operates within strict guidelines. Our
activity is not related to matters affecting competition between
our members, and the ERA is not a forum for discussions as to
energy prices or other commercially sensitive matters. Nor are
ERA members of staff privy to any information of this nature.
As a responsible trade association representing a highly competitive
industry we take legal guidance to ensure that our activities
do not breach competition law or any other regulations.
22 January 2008
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