Although the headline suggest that the big six get together and set price, in reality it is unlikely that they actually do.
The Headline on the Sunday Times suggested that the big six power companies all got together and colluded on prices for the retail sector. When reading the article further it transpires that as part of the energy retail association they all meet up and discuss metering, payment for the poor and most of the standard industry details which are common to all of them.
The Sunday Times implied that as small suppliers were not generally invited to those meetings that this was an opportunity for them to collude on price. There is no doubt that it would provide an easy oportunity but in reality highly unlikely to happen.
The Sunday Times stated that many of the small suppliers were disadvantaged by not having their own power stations in which to supply. This is probably true but hardly a fault of the big six much more the fault of the governement and industry which continues to tinker with the market forcing most to be vertically integrated.
21 January 2008
Ofgem cover their backs by writing to the ERA, who not surprisngly respond with a "Who me?" attitude. read more...
13 April 2005
IAS 39 appears to be a minefield for accountants to make money. read more...
07 April 2005
Customers deliver super complaint but are not entirely blameless. read more...
03 March 2005
Intensive Users not content with price rises, now lobby on market fundamentals not adding up, amazingly the government yields. read more...
14 December 2004
MP's today have stated that UK Power cuts are more likely to happen as a result of the imposed spending plans on distribution made by Ofgem read more...
The Rally Continues in Electricity
Where June ended on a bearish note, July opened with a distinctly more bullish feel to it. By the 8th July, the Winter contracts had each gained around £1/MWh with Winter 11 trading at £57.70/MWh, Winter 12 at £59.60/MWh and Winter 13 at £63.45/MWh. read more...
08 July 2011
Where June ended on a bearish note, July opened with a distinctly more bullish feel to it. By the 8th July, the Winter contracts had each gained around £1/MWh with Winter 11 trading at £57.70/MWh, Winter 12 at £59.60/MWh and Winter 13 at £63.45/MWh. read more...
Energy Curves regain some of the Losses
The energy markets have recovered from the 'plunging losses' seen earlier in June which dragged down fuel and power prices. Prices across the power curve all report strong week on week gains. read more...
01 July 2011
The energy markets have recovered from the 'plunging losses' seen earlier in June which dragged down fuel and power prices. Prices across the power curve all report strong week on week gains. read more...
Prompt Prices at a Premium to Winter..
The focus this week has been on the prompt markets with system constraints and gas uncertainty the main cause. Together the constraints and uncertainty have had an interesting impact on the shape of the power forward curve. read more...
01 October 2010
The focus this week has been on the prompt markets with system constraints and gas uncertainty the main cause. Together the constraints and uncertainty have had an interesting impact on the shape of the power forward curve. read more...
Gains Seen Across the Curve
There was no sign of an early Christmas in the power market on Friday with a 'flurry' of trading resulting in gains across the power curve. read more...
21 December 2009
There was no sign of an early Christmas in the power market on Friday with a 'flurry' of trading resulting in gains across the power curve. read more...
New trading levels anticipated in UK Power Markets
The electricity market saw two main technical levels breached for the first time in the Summer 10 and Winter 10 contracts. read more...
28 August 2009
The electricity market saw two main technical levels breached for the first time in the Summer 10 and Winter 10 contracts. read more...
Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry read more...
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry read more...
Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though read more...
25 March 2011
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though read more...
We're borrowing less than expected....
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
20 August 2010
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
Confidence knocked in the Financial Markets
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. read more...
12 August 2010
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. read more...
Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
October -What to Expect
October is a month to identify some good value purchasing opportunities. History suggests we will see prices slip through the month before the real winter drivers kick in. read more...
03 October 2011
October is a month to identify some good value purchasing opportunities. History suggests we will see prices slip through the month before the real winter drivers kick in. read more...
Shale Gas - Latest UK estimates suggest enough for next 11 years
Cuadrilla Resources, the company at the forefront of Britain's Shale gas exploration released its first estimates of the amount of shale gas contained in the rocks of Lancashire. At 200 trillion cubic feet, the estimates are significant to say the least. read more...
22 September 2011
Cuadrilla Resources, the company at the forefront of Britain's Shale gas exploration released its first estimates of the amount of shale gas contained in the rocks of Lancashire. At 200 trillion cubic feet, the estimates are significant to say the least. read more...
Gas Imports Keep the System Balanced
Two GBAs in one week, use of Interruptible Supply Contracts and record temperatures but the system remains balanced and gas prices even drop during trading. read more...
08 January 2010
Two GBAs in one week, use of Interruptible Supply Contracts and record temperatures but the system remains balanced and gas prices even drop during trading. read more...
Gas Balancing Alert Issued
National Grid issues a rarely used Gas Balancing Alert following both supply and demand pressures. With severe weather warnings in place and freezing temperatures set to continue, will this be the last of the GBAs? read more...
05 January 2010
National Grid issues a rarely used Gas Balancing Alert following both supply and demand pressures. With severe weather warnings in place and freezing temperatures set to continue, will this be the last of the GBAs? read more...
EdF enters the world of competition..
EdF has capitalised on competitive energy markets across Europe, not least in the UK, while at the same time enjoying a dominant, competition free, environment at home in France. It looks as though the EC has finally caught up with them... read more...
05 November 2009
EdF has capitalised on competitive energy markets across Europe, not least in the UK, while at the same time enjoying a dominant, competition free, environment at home in France. It looks as though the EC has finally caught up with them... read more...
Two Years On...
This week marked the 2nd Anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, perhaps the most significant collapse of the banking crisis. Ironic perhaps then that the anniversary coincided with the publication of stricter international banking rules requiring banks to hold larger cash reserves. How will these banking regulations impact energy companies? read more...
17 September 2010
This week marked the 2nd Anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, perhaps the most significant collapse of the banking crisis. Ironic perhaps then that the anniversary coincided with the publication of stricter international banking rules requiring banks to hold larger cash reserves. How will these banking regulations impact energy companies? read more...
Falling Wholesale Prices but what about the tariffs?
Even though the power wholesale market is following the falls seen in gas (Winter 09 Baseload closed the week down £0.20MWh at £38.70), and is now at levels where supplier tariffs must be under pressure, any tariff reduction announcements are unlikely to be made anytime soon. read more...
18 September 2009
Even though the power wholesale market is following the falls seen in gas (Winter 09 Baseload closed the week down £0.20MWh at £38.70), and is now at levels where supplier tariffs must be under pressure, any tariff reduction announcements are unlikely to be made anytime soon. read more...
Who will have the last laugh on the Green Agenda?
The Government’s announcement last week on the projected state of the UK energy industry is interesting and informative and demonstrates their willingness to impose a green agenda - but at what cost? read more...
24 July 2009
The Government’s announcement last week on the projected state of the UK energy industry is interesting and informative and demonstrates their willingness to impose a green agenda - but at what cost? read more...
Ofgem enquiry completed
Ofgem have completed their competition probe and not really delivered for business. read more...
18 March 2009
Ofgem have completed their competition probe and not really delivered for business. read more...
Imera secures new inter connector
Imera an Irish consortium has secured a good growth opportunity for 2011. read more...
07 December 2008
Imera an Irish consortium has secured a good growth opportunity for 2011. read more...
Does a bankers pension affect the UK power market?
As Fred Goodwin the departed RBS chief exec weathers the media storm over his pension pot, Powerisk asks if his decisions are affecting the power market. read more...
27 February 2009
As Fred Goodwin the departed RBS chief exec weathers the media storm over his pension pot, Powerisk asks if his decisions are affecting the power market. read more...
Referral to Competition Commission Called For
Allan Asher, CEO of Energywatch, claims that the energy regulator Ofgem is failing by not referring the UK energy markets to the Competition Commission. read more...
21 May 2008
Allan Asher, CEO of Energywatch, claims that the energy regulator Ofgem is failing by not referring the UK energy markets to the Competition Commission. read more...
EU unbundling bungled
EU still voting on how to unbundle the energy companies of Europe. read more...
29 February 2008
EU still voting on how to unbundle the energy companies of Europe. read more...
Ofgem investigates
Finally an competition enquiry into the energy market has begun. read more...
21 February 2008
Finally an competition enquiry into the energy market has begun. read more...
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