AQW 9065/16-21 Written question to the Minister for the Economy

To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment on the impact of the revocation of Open Electric’s licence on (i) their consumers; and (ii) the wider energy market.

Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 19 December 2016

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
  • Priority
Tabled
19 December 2016
Answer due by
23 December 2016
Answered
19 January 201731 days after tabling
Department
Department for the Economy
Priority question
Yes

Answer

The actions taken by the Utility Regulator, Power NI and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks under the “Supplier of Last Resort” process have ensured no disruption to supply for the former customers of Open Electric. Power NI will write to all those affected providing a transfer pack containing essential information and the Regulator has published question and answer guidance on its website. Customers who have transferred may elect to remain with Power NI or switch to another supplier.

While Open Electric’s exit from the electricity supply market means one less supply option for customers it is important to put that into perspective. As a supplier that entered the market just over one year ago, it served just over one thousand customers.

With its exit from the market there are still five domestic electricity suppliers and eight active suppliers in the industrial and commercial market.

Official sources