Welcome
Our organisation
The Energy Retail Association, established in October 2003, is the only dedicated trade association for UK energy suppliers. All the main energy suppliers operating in the UK domestic market are members of the new association - British Gas, EDF Energy, RWE Npower, Powergen, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy.
The purpose of the ERA is:
to identify areas where the industry can work together for the common good without competitive advantage
to improve the profile of the sector with decision makers, opinion formers and consumers
to protect the industry from regulation that can hold back commercial development
to assist the industry in the operation of effective self-regulation procedures
to represent the views of the energy retail industry to stakeholders and policy makers
to assist the industry in the operation of effective self-regulation procedures, and offer guidance on regulation that can hamper innovation and commercial development.
Our members have already brought choice to millions of households and created a hugely successful market in which customers have choice and quality of service. Since the domestic energy market was introduced in 1998 the average bill has reduced by a third in real terms and around 50% of households have changed their gas and electricity supplier to benefit from cheaper prices.
Fuel Poverty
Energy suppliers recognise that they have a responsibility to society and, in particular, to vulnerable customers and the fuel poor. Suppliers have worked closely with social services, citizens advice bureaux and charitable groups, such as Age Concern and Help the Aged to consider the best way to help vulnerable customers.
Smart Meters
Increasing focus on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, alongside the recent rises in energy costs, has meant that understanding and controlling energy consumption is an increasing concern of the energy suppliers, customers and the Government alike. The industry has lead a number of initiatives to further improve metering and customer billing and smart meters have the potential to unlock significantly increased benefits in this area by reducing operational costs.
Britain’s energy suppliers, along with the Energy Retail Association, have taken an active interest in the area of Smart Meters for many years and the industry recognises the potential benefits this technology can bring.
Key Areas of ERA Activity:
