Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to make it easier for retail electricity consumers to negotiate distributed energy contracts with energy companies.

The Government and the regulator, Ofgem, are actively exploring the operation of the distributed energy supply landscape, including the potential costs and benefits for consumers and the implications for regulatory arrangements. Ofgem are due to publish their response to the discussion paper on Non-Traditional Business Models in the Autumn which looks at different models for the supply of energy. DECC officials will work closely with Ofgem over the coming months to understand the implications for the Government.