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Estafa de la energía expuesta
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Compañías más grandes de la energía de S de GRAN BRETAÑA las' han sofocado la competición de subir precios y hacer beneficios de registro más que £4.5 mil millones, una investigación de Sunday Times ha encontrado.
Las seis compañías que controlan el gas y la electricidad de Gran Bretaña ahora están haciendo frente exigen que las refieran la Comisión de la competición.
Los ejecutivos a cargo de las seis compañías principales eran la semana pasada confirmada para celebrar reuniones confidenciales por lo menos cada dos meses para discutir estrategia del mercado. Excluyen a rivales más pequeños.
Los nuevos accesos vienen como a Encuesta de YouGov para Sunday Times reveals that more than eight out of 10 customers believe they are being “ripped off” by the energy firms. Alistair Darling, the chancellor, is to meet Sir John Mogg, the head of regulator Ofgem, tomorrow for an explanation of the latest round of price rises.
Industry insiders said they are ready to give evidence about how the “big six” have driven up prices and boosted profits by:
- Keeping each other’s prices in step by raising and lowering tariffs within a few weeks of each other.
- Denying smaller rivals fair access to energy from their own power plants at affordable prices.
- Charging loyal customers significantly more than those who switch, so keeping up profits.
- Stifling competition by supporting laborious and expensive accreditation for new companies.
Allan Asher, chief executive of Energywatch, the consumer watchdog, said: “The problem with the energy market is that it’s lazy, complacent and uncompetitive. It has been able to drive out the possibility of any vigorous challenge to the prominence of the big six energy suppliers.”
The companies enjoyed a “bumper year” in 2007, profiting from a dramatic fall in the wholesale price of gas amid allegations they failed to pass on savings to householders. Analysts believe the companies are now poised to report record annual profits of more than £4.5 billion.
The companies last week confirmed that they were meeting regularly under the auspices of the Energy Retail Association. The association says market-sensitive issues are never talked about and pricing policies are discussed only in the context of a public debate about best practice. Rival energy companies say the association is a “closed shop” for the dominant companies and the minutes of meetings should be published.
The Sunday Times YouGov poll found that 85% of customers felt they were being ripped off by the energy firms. This compares to 76% of people who felt they were being ripped off by the railways; 74% by the petrol companies; and 59% by the banks and financial service industry.
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