Thursday, December 19, 2013
UK GAS-Spot prices lower as system oversupplied
SSE PLC's Dividend Prospects For 2014 And Beyond
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
SSE Composite
Gazprom approves Investment Program, Budget and Cost Reduction Program for 2014
FOI release: Communications with Energy UK
Request for information on communications between one of DECC's Special Advisers and Energy UK from 25/09/13 to 27/09/13.
FOI release: Communications with Big Six utility firms
Request for information on communications between DECC Special or Political Advisers and representatives from the Big Six utility firms from 25/09/13 to 27/09/13.
FOI release: Meetings with Horizon Nuclear Power and Hitachi
Emails, papers, minutes and documents relating to Ed Davey's June 2013 meeting with Hitachi and DECC's Permanent Secretary's May 2013 meeting with Horizon Nuclear Power/Hitachi Europe Ltd.
Policy paper: Smart Metering summary plan
Summary plan for delivery of the GB Smart Metering Programme. DECC previously published updates of the plan in 2011 and 2012.
British Gas owner Centrica to return extra £420m to shareholders after Texan power plant sale
Statement to Parliament: Hinkley Point C State aid – EU Commission Opening Decision
The European Commission has today announced its decision to open an investigation into the State aid case for the proposed Hinkley Point C investment contract. I welcome the investigation and the consultation that will follow which will seek views to enable the Commission to make a legally robust decision. Such investigations on the part of the European Commission are a standard part of the process for interventions that are novel and complex and the raising of doubts, questions or concerns as part of this process is also to be expected. Indeed, this is what happened on the Royal Mail, Property Tax on Telecommunications Infrastructure and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority State aid cases, all of which were subject to investigations by the Commission and all of which were ultimately cleared by the Commission.
The European Commission's decision represents another important step forward in progression of the State aid case for Hinkley. Alongside Royal Assent, today, of the Energy Bill and my Department's publication tomorrow of the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) Delivery Plan and revised version of the Contracts for Difference (CfDs) terms, this Opening Decision for Hinkley demonstrates excellent progress in delivering the Government's EMR Programme. Investment contracts, such as those proposed for Hinkley, are in effect early CfDs and, like CfDs, they are a market-orientated instrument designed to incentivise investment in new low carbon generation whilst ensuring an appropriate allocation of risks between generators and consumers. This investment is needed at scale if the UK is to play its part in meeting the EU's common security and diversity of supply and decarbonisation objectives, all at least cost to the consumer. EMR, taken together with our other energy interventions, for example, in relation to energy efficiency and the pursuit of interconnectors with other Member States, will help ensure that the UK is able to make its fullest contribution to achieving a single EU energy market.
The UK's electricity market reforms are ground breaking, with much of Europe following our progress with close interest. This is particularly so in the case of CfDs. CfDs are necessary given the current market failures and are an innovative intervention, with impacts on competition and trade limited to the very minimum required to ensure that security of supply and decarbonisation objectives can be achieved. For example, as set out in the commercial agreement on key terms for the proposed Hinkley Point C investment contract that I announced on 21st October this year, any contract awarded to EDF for Hinkley would include in-built mechanisms to prevent overcompensation. These include construction and refinancing gainshares and operating cost reviews taking place at 15 and 25 years into the contract term. Indeed, CfDs are less distortive and less generous to generators than some other interventions, which have previously been approved by the Commission.
We have already provided a substantial amount of information and evidence to the Commission to support its assessment of the Hinkley case and have been discussing the case and EMR more generally with the Commission for the past 18 months. I now look forward to considering the Opening Decision, and continued close engagement with the Commission on Hinkley and other EMR related state aid cases. The Hinkley investigation will include a public consultation period during which third parties can provide views to the Commission and there will of course be opportunity for the UK Government to provide further evidence to the Commission on why the agreement we have reached with EDF is consistent with State aid rules under the European Treaty.
I would encourage all interested stakeholders to participate in the consultation. Investment contracts and CfDs are a vital measure which the UK must implement in order to achieve its energy objectives and I have no doubt that we will be able to provide robust responses to any lines of inquiry which the Commission sets out as part of its Opening Decision on Hinkley.”
'Digital champions' encourage others to get online with support from E.ON
The training was created and delivered by the Tinder Foundation (formerly known as the Online Centres Foundation) and offers community volunteers the opportunity to learn how to help people most in need of digital support to get started online.
It's estimated that there are over half a million people in the North East without basic online skills. By developing a network of digital champions, it's hoped that they can deliver a sustained improvement in digital awareness and skills in the North East.
Anthony Ainsworth, Sales and Marketing Director at E.ON, said: "In this digital era, it's more important than ever to have at least a basic understanding of the internet. That's why we're keen to develop this network of digital champions to help educate people about the advantages of being online. Through this digital skills training, we're also able to reach people who may be in or at risk of fuel poverty and can offer support with tools to help them manage their energy bills and use no more energy than they need to."
Anna Geraghty, Head of Marketing, Communications and Training at the Tinder Foundation said: "By supporting this training, E.ON has really shown its commitment to helping its customers and the population at large become more digitally included. The training events have been great and have shown that a partnership approach - with people from the community, businesses and the voluntary sector coming together - can help us take even bigger steps toward helping everyone cross the digital divide."
Graham Walker, CEO at Go ON UK, said: "It's fantastic that E.ON is supporting the training of digital champions in the North East. There's so much to gain from being online, and the best way to learn is through real people in the region who are willing and able to share their digital skills with others."
E.ON is a Founder Partner in Go ON UK and shares the aim of making the UK the world's most digitally skilled nation. For more information about E.ON's commitment to supporting Go ON UK and or for energy- saving advice, visit eonenergy.com
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial customers. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
- Go ON UK is a cross-sector charity which was established in 2012 to encourage and support people, business and charities to enjoy the benefits of being online. Go ON UK has nine chief executives around its boardroom table - Age UK, Argos, BBC, Big Lottery Fund, E.ON, EE, Lloyds Banking Group, Post Office and TalkTalk. Together, Go ON UK's vision is to make the UK the world's most digitally skilled nation.
- Go ON North East is working with people and partners to kickstart its regional digital skills roll out in the North East of England. This is the first regional pathfinder being rolled out by Go ON UK and partners to help increase the Basic Online Skills of individuals, SMEs and charities. The Pathfinder will provide a platform for a sustainable digital skills programme in the North East and a replicable model for other UK regions to use to improve their digital skills.
- Basic Online Skills are the basic skills needed to enjoy a wide range of online benefits, including being able to transact online safely. Go ON UK has defined the categories of skill and the activities people need to be able to complete at a basic level which include the ability to send and receive email, use a search engine, browse the internet and complete online forms
For more information contact:
Naomi Troy on 02476 180523 or naomi.troy@eon-uk.com
Statement to Parliament: EU Energy Council, 12 December
I am writing to report discussions at the Energy Council on 12 December, where I represented the UK.
The Council discussed the Proposal to amend the Renewable Energy Directive and the Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels with the aim of reaching political agreement. The proposal is intended to address Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC), which occurs when production of biofuels from crops grown on existing agricultural land results in the displacement of production on to previously uncultivated land. The Council was unable to reach agreement on the proposal as Ministers could not find a compromise between those who wanted high ambition on ILUC (including the UK) and those who wanted to protect the interests of their biofuels industries. It is hoped that this dossier will be taken forward under the Greek Presidency.
The Council report on the Internal Energy Market was approved by the Council with one amendment relating to the need to prioritise interconnection between Member States that were below the 10% electricity interconnection target, endorsed by the European Council in 2002. A number of Ministers emphasised that Member States should protect the internal energy market by adopting EU solutions to address security of supply concerns rather than national measures.
The Council agreed the progress report on EU external energy policy with no changes. The Commissioner presented a round-up of recent and upcoming events and developments in international energy relations. He welcomed the decision to extend the Energy Community for another ten years and suggested that there was a need for stronger interconnections in South-East Europe, in particular a new interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece.
The incoming Greek Presidency outlined their priorities for the next six months. They will focus on the internal energy market, particularly ending energy isolation for the EU's peripheral regions and funding options for infrastructure projects; energy costs and vulnerable consumers; and the Nuclear Safety Directive.
The Presidency gave an update on nuclear energy. A number of Member States noted that they considered the proposal for the Nuclear Safety Directive to be premature.
Over lunch, Ministers discussed energy prices and competitiveness.
Statement to Parliament: Second annual progress report on the roll-out of smart meters
Today, I am pleased to announce the publication of the second DECC annual progress report on the roll-out of smart meters.
Smart meters will transform consumers' relationship with energy, bringing considerable benefits for both them, for the energy industry and for Great Britain. Smart meters will for the first time put consumers in control of their energy use, allowing them to take energy efficiency measures that can help save money on energy bills, offset price increases and reduce carbon emissions.
The annual report provides an explanation of smart metering and its benefits. It describes the work that is being undertaken by the Government, energy suppliers and other stakeholders during the Foundation Stage of the roll-out and in particular the progress that has been made during 2013, to prepare for the period between Autumn 2015 and 2020 when most consumers will receive smart meters. This work will help to ensure that everything is in place to handle a roll-out of this scale (over 50 million meters to be installed in 30 million premises) and that consumers will have a good experience, which is crucial for realising the benefits. Energy suppliers are already testing and trialling the new technology, and some consumers are already receiving smart meters from their energy suppliers and starting to see the benefits.
The annual report is being placed in the Library of the House and can be found on GOV.UK.
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Analysis: China needs Western help for nuclear export ambitions
Massive Gazprom gas line stays snug with Pentair heat trace system
UK GAS-Spot prices lower on mild weather and increased supply
Quantitative Research into Non-Domestic Consumer Engagement in the Energy Market
Quantitative Research into Non-Domestic Consumer Engagement in, and Experience of, the Energy Market
Consumer Challenge Group RIIO ED1: Update note, December 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
EDF Begins Construction on Mass. Solar Project
Twelvetrees looking to impress Lancaster and play central role for England in 2014
EDF Goes to Court to Defend the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule
E.ON wins national award for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its recruitment processes
This honour recognises companies who have shown exceptional creativity and innovation in the development and delivery of their diversity and inclusion recruitment strategy.
E.ON was commended for its' holistic approach to addressing diversity and inclusion across all areas of its business. By creating a strong link to the company's overall business strategy, E.ON has been able to deliver a consistent message, giving all applicants the confidence that their individual contribution as part for the whole workforce matters.
Dave Newborough, HR Director at E.ON, said "Our diversity and equality strategy underpins our business aim to become our customers' trusted energy partner. If we are to achieve this we need to ensure that our existing and future employees feel they are supported and treated fairly, and thus performing at their best.
"But we also know that everyone needs to do this while remaining true to themselves and the unique differences that mark us out as individuals can also bring us together as a stronger business. Our UK Board is fully committed to supporting and developing a culture that understands and values the many differences between our employees."
This award comes after E.ON successfully won the ‘Inclusive Recruitment' award from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI), after demonstrating consistent support for a diverse workforce and promoting best practice in equality and inclusion in the workplace.
For more information about E.ON's approach to Diversity and Inclusion, visit eon-uk.com/careers
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
- E.ON is committed to improving the candidate experience and recruitment practices across the company and together with The Clear Company has implemented a best practice framework to enable this.
- E.ON has also joined forces with the DWP and leading UK employers to support the creation of an assessment and development programme called ClearAssured. Through this work, E.ON has demonstrated that it can attract more disabled applicants, and ensure that they have the best possible chance of being offered a job with the company.
- The FIRM was founded as a LinkedIn Group in December 2007, run by In-house recruiters for in-house recruiters. Their aim is to support, develop and inspire their members as well as working to ensure integrity and best practice through the in-house resourcing community. The award ceremony recognised several categories including Diversity and Inclusion, In-House recruiter of the Year, Recruitment Team of the year amongst others.
For more information contact:
Naomi Troy on 02476 180 523 or Naomi.troy@eon-uk.com
Britain Opens Door to More Shale Gas Drilling
EDF Renewable Energy Closes MIPSA on Lancaster Solar Project and Commences Construction
Electricite de France SA fined 13.5 million for anti-competitive behavior-Agence France Presse
SSE completes set at Keadby
Zayo wins PoP contract with SSE
Gazprom investment programme approved
Gazprom, Naftogaz Ukrainy sign addition to gas supply contract
France's Anti-Trust Authority Fines EDF €13.5M
British energy minister publishes shale 'roadmap'
Gazprom may sign gas contract with China at end of February: Ifax
EDF Ordered to Bring Flamanville Nuclear Site into Compliance
Stoke's npower taskforce swings into action
Sustainable Development indicators- Theme 4: Ensuring a secure and reliable gas and electricity supply
Sustainable Development indicators- Theme 3: Promoting energy saving
Sustainable Development indicators- Theme 2: Eradicating fuel poverty and protecting vulnerable customers
Sustainable Development indicators- Theme 1: Managing the transition to a low carbon economy
Monday, December 16, 2013
British Fracking Protesters Block Drill Site With Wind Turbine Blade (PHOTOS)
Business Secretary Vince Cable pledges to help Sunderland npower workers
British PM urges EU to cut shale gas red tape
Consultation outcome: New Smart Energy Code Content (Stage 2): consequential consultation on changes to the DCC licence
Updated: Government response published.
The Smart Energy Code (SEC) is a new industry code which has been created through, and comes into force under, the DCC licence. The SEC is a multiparty contract which sets out the terms for the provision of the DCC's Smart Meter communications service, and specifies other provisions to govern the end-to-end management of Smart Metering.
This response and further consultation provides the government's conclusions on one of the issues discussed in the October 2013 consultation on the Smart Energy Code (SEC). This is the proposed provisions in the SEC to support the delivery of cost-effective, viable and sustainable third party financing for communications hubs. The government has concluded that these provisions are a proportionate and appropriate mechanism for helping to secure the most cost-effective financing for an initial 5% of the expected total number of communications hubs. However, as a result of information received during that consultation a further consequential consultation is needed on changes to the DCC licence to support these provisions.
Npower to focus on call quality after ‘toxic’ claims by whistleblower
BP Inks Tight Gas Drilling Deal With Oman
Zayo to build dark fiber network for London-based SSE Telecoms
Open consultation: Regulatory arrangements for enrolment and adoption of Foundation Meters
Updated: Document updated to remove duplicated table contents in Annex 3.
An important task for the DCC, its service providers, and energy suppliers will be to establish projects to develop or procure systems or services under which the DCC will enrol and operate SMETS 1 meters installed during the Foundation stage on behalf of suppliers.
The government considers it important that an appropriate regulatory and governance framework is put in place to govern these projects and to provide assurance to stakeholders that the projects will be progressed in an effective manner. This document sets out proposals for a number of key elements of that framework.
Snapshot for SSE PLC (SSE)
Scottish Power Ltd. - Power Plants and SWOT Analysis, 2013 Update
BP and Oman Agree to Jointly Develop a Gas Field, With Bigger Goals in Mind
Mathematics, Economics and Finance Undergraduate of the Year Award 2014!
Offshore Windfarm Plans Shelved by SSE
SSE share price: Green light for £800m Scottish power plant project
Switching supplier
Information for suppliers and industry
Information for business consumers
Consumer Empowerment and Protection in Smarter Markets
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Wishing you a warmer winter
'Toxic' culture at npower at root of poor service - whistleblower
Friday, December 13, 2013
Scottish Power cancels £5.4bn Argyll Array offshore wind farm plan
Scottish Power Halts Offshore Wind Plan Due to Technical Hurdles
SSE Gets Scottish Approval for Hydropower, Energy-Storage Plant
SSE staff help to transform charity garden
Scottish Power becomes third firm to scrap UK offshore wind farm
Scottish Power becomes 3rd firm to scrap UK offshore wind farm
SSE wins approval for $1.3 bln pumped storage plant in Scotland
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Colwick Woods get a facelift thanks to E.ON volunteers
With the support of park rangers and the Friends of Colwick Wood group, employees from E.ON's Marketing Team donated a total of over 370 man-hours to clearing overgrown paths and woodland and creating new paths to allow better access for park users.
Speaking about the project, Edmund Hopkins, Honorary Secretary for Friends of Colwick Woods, said: "We're extremely grateful to all of the volunteers from E.ON for the tremendous work they undertook on the day. They have transformed ‘Mile Run' which was becoming very overgrown and hardly recognisable from the historic photographs."
Emma Johnson, Planning Manager at E.ON and project leader for the team on the day, said: "Organising the day has been great and it's been really rewarding to spend time out supporting our local community. Our team managed to do more than we'd been asked or expected to do, and we even managed to create a cobbled path within the grounds, which gave us all a great sense of achievement at the end of the day."
This project was organised as part of E.ON's support for its local communities and in association with Business in the Community.
For more information about E.ON, please visit http://www.eonenergy.com/
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial customers. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
- E.ON has been voted Britain's best energy supplier for the second year running in the uSwitch.com Customer Satisfaction Awards. The independent report and awards are published annually and are based on a YouGov poll of over 5,000 energy customers;
- Business in the Community stands for responsible business. With a membership of over 850 companies, engagement in 10,700 organisations internationally and an employee reach of 14.7 million, Business in the Community is raising the benchmark for responsible business practice. We offer our members practical support to help them transform their businesses and integrate responsible practices into their operations. And we ask our members to work in partnership with us to help transform communities and tackle serious social issues where business can make a real difference. Business in the Community is one of the Prince's Charities, a group of not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is President. www.bitc.org.uk
For more information contact:
Naomi Troy on 02476 180523 or naomi.troy@eon-uk.com
SAP system leaves Npower customer accounts in disarray
British Gas blows £10,000 on Alton Towers jolly for staff to learn how to cope with customers angry over 9% price hike
Russia enlists Gazprom to drive down transport pollution levels
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Greenpeace v Gazprom - CL last supper
Complaints to Ombudsman Services: Energy – research report
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Real Madrid's Press Conference Disrupted By Anti-Gazprom Protest (PICTURES)
Monday, December 09, 2013
Football - Real news conference disrupted by anti-Gazprom protest
JPM Emerging Markets managers cool on Gazprom
EU's Almunia says Gazprom antitrust proposal due this week
EU's Almunia says expects Gazprom antitrust proposal this week
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Npower bill fiasco: 'shock £1,800 demand'
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Micro-business back-billing: supplier data covering April 2012- March 2013
Friday, December 06, 2013
E.ON announces average dual fuel price increase of 3.7%, effective from 18th January 2014
- Dual fuel (variable) average increase: 3.7% (£48) (1)
- Electricity only (variable) average increase: 3.7% (£20) (1)
- Gas only (variable) average increase: 4.6% (£37) (1)
E.ON has today announced that from 18th January 2014 its energy prices for existing standard variable dual fuel customers will be on average 3.7% higher.
For the second year running E.ON has announced an increase later than any other major supplier and has once again shown it is working hard to limit the impact on its customers by announcing a lower average percentage rise than any other major supplier.
Other key customer aspects:
- Simpler discounts, greater value: E.ON has changed the way it offers discounts to customers, moving from percentage to pound values. This means that even with today's price rise, around one in four E.ON customers will see lower bills than before. This is simply because the pound value is higher than the percentage discounts some customers would have seen on their bills.
- Price Alert: E.ON will automatically tell customers on fixed deals of new cheaper deals if / when they are offered. Customers registered online and on fixed tariffs will automatically be told (via email) of new deals which may offer better value, when they are introduced.
Commenting on today's announcement Tony Cocker, Chief Executive, E.ON UK said:
"There is no escaping the simple fact that any price rise is unwelcome news for customers. We know that, which is why we have held off for longer than most of our competitors and worked hard to keep our rise as low as possible. However, now more than ever, the help we offer our customers, in terms of advice and practical measures, is absolutely vital.
"We have moved quickly to pass on the benefits of changes announced by the Government at the beginning of this week. This means we have reduced the overall level of a rise that is necessary to cover the extra costs we are seeing in some areas, as well as making sure we continue to deliver a sustainable future for all of our employees and maintain our investment in the UK.
"Whilst there can be no guarantees, the likelihood of further price rises over the next 18 months caused by an increase in the cost of social and environmental obligations has receded due to the recent action taken by the Government."
E.ON has outlined how the change in Government environmental and social schemes will be implemented, along with many other changes to make its products simpler and more comparable.
Some of these key aspects are:
- Savings that E.ON will see as a result of the Government changes will be passed on in the simplest and fairest way:
- Customers on standard variable tariffs will see their prices change. Customers already on fixed deals will, in the majority of cases, still be on products that are lower in price than the altered tariffs.
- All electricity customers will receive the full £12 Government rebate that relates to the change in funding of the Warm Home Discount. This follows the policy set out by the Government and is the same for all suppliers.
- In addition, E.ON is launching new fixed products which will have these changes built in. Customers on existing products can switch to them without charge at any time.
- The savings that E.ON will see as a result of the alterations to environmental and social obligations will be passed on in the form of a change to the standing charges that are part of standard variable products. This means customers on standard variable tariffs will benefit from 18th January 2014 and our new fixed products will reflect these savings.
- This was the fairest way possible to pass on the savings E.ON will see as a result of the changes and a way of maximising the savings for a huge number of our customers. It must also be remembered that all electricity customers will receive the £12 rebate, without exception.
E.ON is also changing its products to make them simpler, easier to compare and compliant with Ofgem's Retail Market Review (RMR).
Major changes include:
- Discounts - simple and fair. Now provided as a clear monetary value, not a percentage discount.
- From 18th January 2014, E.ON customers can receive:
- £20 a year for having a dual fuel account
- Up to £10 a year for paperless billing (£5 per fuel)
- Up to £70 a year for paying by Fixed Monthly Direct Debit (£35 per fuel)
- Loyalty - rewards will be available for all of residential customers who have an electricity or dual fuel account and opt in to E.ON Reward Points. Customers will be awarded up to 1,500 E.ON Reward Points a year, which are accrued on a daily basis and awarded monthly. These points can be exchanged either for Tesco Clubcard points or Bonusbonds (vouchers for the high street).
FAQ and key details of the price rise announcement and the changes being made to move E.ON towards full Ofgem RMR compliance
Helping customers
What are you doing to help your customers save money and ensure they are on the best deal for their needs?
Over a year ago we launched our ‘Best Deal For You' online tool, now offering a set of four tariffs. Consumers can find the best E.ON deal for them by visiting www.eonenergy.com/bestdeal or by phoning 0330 400 1009.
We are committed to helping our customers use no more energy than they need so we have launched the Saving Energy Toolkit, an easy-to-use online tool which allows customers to better understand and control their energy use. The Saving Energy Toolkit shows people where their energy is being used, when they use the most and how they compare to similar nearby homes. By showing them this information we hope that our customers will feel more in control and ultimately take action to use only the energy they need.
Advice on how to save energy can also be found at www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/saving-energy
What are you doing to help your vulnerable customers and those most in need?
For customers who are struggling to pay their bills, we can offer practical debt advice, home visits and information on funding schemes either from E.ON or third parties.
Since the Warm Home Discount came into effect on 1 April 2011, like other major suppliers we have offered rebates to our electricity customers who meet the eligibility criteria; £135 per household during 2013/2014. In 2012/13 we helped around 284,000 E.ON customers though the Core Group and Broader Group rebates with spend around £37m. New applications to this year's scheme closed on 3rd December but E.ON expects to help significantly more customers in 2013/14.
Our Caring Energy support team can talk to customers about their individual circumstances to provide help or signpost other routes to access potential assistance.
Other initiatives to help our vulnerable customers include helping around 10,000 households (not necessarily E.ON customers) through the Age UK Industry initiative with spend around £750,000. These customers primarily benefit from a Benefit Entitlement Check with the average recipient benefiting by an increase in income of over £2,000 a year.
In addition, we've spent around £200,000 on the supplier funded industry initiatives of Energy Best Deal (run by the Citizen's Advice Bureau) and the Home Heat Helpline. Both of these services provide free advice to consumers on energy related topics.
Customers on our WarmAssist tariff will be protected from this rise and E.ON guarantees no rise for WarmAssist customers during this winter.
Products
New Ofgem rules mean you can only offer four core tariffs, what are your core four tariffs?
E.ON Energy Plan (Standard - evergreen variable)
E.ON Energy Fixed 1 Year v6
E.ON Energy Fixed 2 Year v5
E.ON Age UK Fixed 2 Year
How many customers do you have on fixed and capped tariffs?
Today we have just over one million customers on fixed deals.
Around 500,000 of these customers are on fixed deals that end more than six months after the effective date of this price change.
How much is the exit fee for customers that wish to leave your fixed tariffs?
The exit fee for most products is £5 per fuel for one-year deals and £10 per fuel for two-year deals, though some older products differ. However, E.ON customers wishing to switch to an alternative E.ON tariff will not be charged a fee. No cancellation fee is applied to our Age UK tariff.
You still have customers on other tariffs such as StayWarm and WarmAssist, are you breaking RMR rules?
No. Customers still on our StayWarm tariff will be able to stay on the product until the end of their contract, for which renewals ceased after 6th October 2013.
For customers on WarmAssist, we requested that they are allowed to remain on this tariff if they so wish and this has been agreed with Ofgem. WarmAssist has not been open for customers to switch to since 20th January 2012.
Migration
Do you have customers on historic tariffs which you will now move to your standard offering?
Yes. We have written to affected customers to notify them that their tariff is no longer available and that we will be moving them to our standard offering (as required). We recommend and hope customers get in touch to have 'Best Deal For You' conversations or use our on-line tool to find our best available tariff for their needs.
Which tariffs does this relate to that you no longer offer?
Customers on our Energy Online, Go Green or Age UK variable products will be moved to our standard offering but we hope to have 'Best Deal For You' conversations with them about whether there is a better or more suitable product for their needs. We will continue to offer Age UK fixed products exclusive to the over-60s.
For customers on Energy Discount we will be honouring the 3% discount below standard, until the end of their term, however terms and conditions will change.
Standing Charge
Do you charge a standing charge?
Yes. We apply a standing charge to our tariffs; this is:
£95 (around 25p a day) for electricity
£115 (around 30p a day) for gas
For customers who pay by Fixed Monthly Direct Debit we offer a reduction on the standing charge for each fuel of £35 per year.
Discounts
Do you offer a reward for paying promptly
No. This is something we no longer offer following the introduction of the new Ofgem RMR rules.
What discount did you previously offer to customers paying promptly
The prompt pay discount was previously 3% for customers paying by cash or cheque.
When was the prompt pay discount removed?
This discount is no longer available to new customers from today.
Existing customers on (or moving to) our standard product will see this discount removed from 18 January. Customers on fixed term tariffs will retain their existing discounts until their renewal date.
Do you offer a discount for customers taking both fuels?
Yes. We offer an annual discount of £20 to all customers who take both fuels. (This is accrued daily).
Do you offer a discount for customers paying by Direct Debit?
Yes. We offer a reduced standing charge to customers paying by Fixed Monthly Direct Debit. This is £35 per fuel, per year.
Do you offer a discount for customers who manage their account / bills online?
We offer a discount to customers who choose to receive paperless bills of £5 per fuel per year.
Do customers receive these discounts automatically?
Yes. These discounts are applied automatically.
How much can customers save?
If customers choose to pay by Fixed Monthly Direct Debit with paperless billing and take both fuels from E.ON, they can save a total of £100.
£20 a year for taking both fuels
£10 a year for taking paperless billing (£5 per fuel)
£70 a year for paying by Fixed Monthly Direct Debit (£35 per fuel)
Total = £100
Rewards and Loyalty
What rewards to you offer to your customers?
Customers have the capacity to earn reward points, which can be exchanged for vouchers for the high street or Tesco Clubcard points.
Customers must have an electricity or dual fuel tariff and opt in online or by phone to activate / receive these rewards.
You no longer offer the Age UK cold weather payment; will you be honouring it for this winter?
Yes. We will be honouring this payment for this winter but going forward this is something the new rules mean we're no longer able to offer.
Price Alert
Do you automatically tell customers on your fixed deals of new cheaper deals when they are offered?
Customers on fixed deals will automatically be told of new cheaper deals if / when they are offered. Customers registered online and on fixed tariffs will automatically be told (via email) of a new deals which may offer better value, when they are introduced.
Ends
1 At current Ofgem average annual consumption of 3,300 kWh unrestricted electricity and 16,500 kWh gas, across all payment methods and regions. Includes all changes to Direct Debit, prompt payment and dual fuel discounts.
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial customers. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
- E.ON has been voted Britain's best energy supplier for the second year running in the uSwitch.com Customer Satisfaction Awards. The independent report and awards are published annually and are based on a YouGov poll of over 5,000 energy customers;
- E.ON discusses changes with its customers through its 28,000-strong YourSay panel and its 1,000-strong MySay employee panel, and also through conversations with consumer advocacy groups. Improvements made to date include new tools to help customers use no more energy than they need, simpler products, transparent profits, fair prices, easier contact, and the confidence to complain;
- E.ON's generation portfolio includes world-class gas-, coal- and biomass-fired power stations. E.ON is a market leader in combined heat and power (CHP), and is one of the UK's leading green generators;
- One of the many ways E.ON leads the energy industry is through its commitment to market liquidity and transparency as evidenced by its actions on the day-ahead UK power markets including the N2EX auction. E.ON was the first company to sign a gross-bidding agreement with N2EX.
Media contacts:
Victoria Blake (02476 181 304)
Andrew Barrow (02476 183 677)
Roxanne Postle (02476 195 785)
Scott Somerville (02476 183 438)
Ofgem welcomes fresh commitments by energy suppliers to cut back-billing for Britain’s smallest firms
Thursday, December 05, 2013
FOI release: Evidence of the effect of CO2
Updated: Further response published.
Request for information on experimental evidence the effect of increasing CO2 on atmospheric temperature and a response to a request for an internal inquiry into the original DECC response.