UK energy minister says small firms should supply 30 percent of market by 2020
Britain’s Energy Secretary Ed Davey has said he wants the market share of independent energy providers to treble by the end of the decade, as the competition watchdog looks into the competitive behaviour of major utilities.
Independent energy suppliers’ market share has doubled this year to nearly 10 percent as energy users move away from the incumbent ‘Big Six’ providers in protest against poor customer service and high bills.
“I want to go further and see them have a 30 percent market share by the end of the decade,” Davey said in a statement. He did not say how this target would be achieved, and the energy ministry press office said the statement reflected the minister’s personal view.
The government does not have an official target to increase the market share of independent energy suppliers. But the competition watchdog is currently carrying out an in-depth investigation into whether the Big Six have displayed any anti-competitive behaviour, a probe that could lead to the break up of some companies.
