At the time of privatisation, the market was designed with suppliers as the primary interface between energy consumers and the energy system. The role of suppliers as the ‘hub’ of the market has been entrenched in legal frameworks, licensing arrangements and industry rules.
We are now seeing significant opportunities for innovation across the energy system and are now examining the role that traditional suppliers play in the market, and the opportunities for consumers to access and manage their supply in new ways. In this context, we are now exploring whether the supplier hub model is still fit for purpose or whether we should consider changes as the energy system evolves.
We are seeking evidence on barriers to innovation, default supply arrangements for consumers that do not engage in the market, and protection for all consumers regardless of how they access their energy supply.