Towards a more innovative energy retail market: A Call for Evidence

Overview

As the main interface between consumers and the energy system, the energy retail market has the potential to play a positive role in supporting decarbonisation and ensuring that consumers see the benefits. However, if this is to happen, we need to unlock significantly more innovation in the market.

While there is broad consensus that the current retail market is unlikely to deliver the innovation required for a net zero energy system, there is no such consensus on the extent to which government intervention is needed or on where any interventions should be targeted.

That is why we are launching a call for evidence on this subject, with a commitment to follow up with policy proposals for consultation later in 2023.

We’re seeking views on aspects of the retail market policy and regulatory framework which may be acting as either barriers to innovation itself or to the ability of consumers to access the benefits of such innovation.

The call for evidence will be of particular interest to:

• the energy industry
• Innovators
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• consumer groups
• academics and policy think-tanks