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Parliament calls on Commission to focus more on consumers with upcoming energy reforms
Parliament calls on Commission to focus more on consumers with upcoming energy reforms
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Energy markets
Available in English
The European Parliament today voted through a report which calls on the Commission to create a more consumer-friendly energy market. The report, ‘A New Deal for Consumers’, is a timely call ahead of a Commission legislative package due in the second half of the year, expected to cover issues related to energy bills, supplier switching, smart meters or small-scale generation of renewable energy by consumers.
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Despite many attempts for improvement, the energy market is still a sector of great concern to European consumers as it has many failures: there is concern over complex tariffs, rising prices, poor service or mis-selling, the difficulty of switching and confusion over what consumers can do to lower their bills, including how to be energy efficient.

Access to affordable energy is a real worry for consumers, particularly for vulnerable groups such as those with a low income. Despite the opening of the markets, competition remains limited, restricting consumer choice and driving up prices. Unfair commercial practices such as aggressive doorstep-selling are another source of consumer frustration in the energy market.

‘Smart technologies’ such as smart meters are heralded as the future and they are claimed to offer benefits to consumers. Yet they raise numerous questions about their true potential to deliver real benefits to consumers, as well as risks related to privacy and cost increases.

  • Ensure energy is affordable and available to all consumers

  • Enable consumers to easily choose between various energy suppliers and switch to the best deal

  • Ensure that smart energy systems and other new developments are affordable and designed to benefit consumers