UK
GAS
& ELECTRICITY OPTIONS
- Deregulation
Gas
Deregulation
- About
The
UK gas market was deregulated in three stages:
-
The first stage allowed roughly 500,000 customers in the South
West (Cornwall, Devon and Somerset) to get their gas from alternative
suppliers. The Market penetration at the time was reported to
be approximately 24% (Aug. 97)
- The
second stage started in February/March 1997 and allowed roughly
1,500,000 customers in parts of the South East and South Central
regions (Kent, Sussex, Avon and Dorset) to get similar benefits.
The market penetration was reported to be around 22% (Aug. 97).
- The
final stage ran from October 1997 until June 1998. The northern
areas were deregulated, first was Scotland with the additional
areas deregulated in stages finishing with the remainder of
the southern counties, e.g. Hampshire and ending with London
and Surrey. By June 1998 all mains gas customers regardless
of where they lived in the UK were able to purchase gas from
any number of suppliers. The final stages of gas deregulation
brought real choice to consumers in the domestic and small business
markets. Market penetration was reported to be around 28.6%
(Sep. 00)
Gas
Deregulation
- Benefits
The
major benefits to customers are:
- Average
price reductions of around 10-20% against British Gas standard
credit tariff (Cash/Late payment tariff, Jan 1998).
- No need
to change the meters or pipes. Gas leaks continue to be handled
by British Gas Transco. (Ring 0800 111999 if you smell a gas
leak).
- Suppliers
may offer a variety of payment methods and special services
for pensioners, chronically sick and disabled customers.
- Gas boiler
and central heating servicing offers also give customers better
value for money.
- Contracts
can be cancelled with 28 days notice.
Information
kindly supplied by Ofgem
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