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Features.
Water competition is on the horizon
In 1999, Ernst & Young speculated that by 2010 there would be flourishing competitive activity in the water industry with a combination of competition for inset appointments, trading of abstraction rights and retail supply under a common carriage regime.
In practice, progress has been painfully slow. Current market arrangements allow for retail competition only for the largest customers. The arrangements are widely perceived as tilted towards protecting incumbents rather than favouring new entry, and from the outset many thought the regime doomed to fail.
Recently, there has been a sea change in attitudes. The consultation being undertaken by Ofwat presages a real extension of retail competition over the next few years. For the first time, there is a presumption in favour of competition. The proposed market opening in Scotland shows that arrangements can be developed to do it.
Looking forward, we can be more confident that by the beginning of the next price control period in 2010, the conditions for active retail competition will be in place, at least in the business market. This will drive significant benefits for customers, particularly product, pricing and service innovation. A 2006 Ernst & Young study for the then Department of Trade and Industry on the results of liberalisation of the electricity and gas markets across Europe found a strong correlation between lower prices and levels of service for business customers and the level of competition in both markets.
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- Press release article from: M2 Presswire September 25, 2000 700+ words
...issues interim authorisation of full retail competition code changes (C)1994-2000 M2...to facilitate the introduction of retail competition to all electricity consumers. Retail competition allows electricity consumers to choose...
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- Press release article from: PR Newswire April 1, 2000 700+ words
...charge portion of customer bills when retail competition begins in Texas on Jan. 1, 2002...filings are part of the transition to retail competition for electricity customers in Texas...and small commercial customers when retail competition begins. These customers also will...
- Preemption watch. (deregulation and retail competition for electric utilities)
- Magazine article from: State Legislatures April 1, 1997 700+ words
...Congress to require deregulation and retail competition for electric utilities. Representative...and preempt state law to mandate retail competition (while retaining a role for states...have led the way with experiments in retail competition. New Hampshire, for example, has...
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- Press release article from: Business Wire September 18, 2006 700+ words
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- Press release article from: M2 Presswire November 8, 2002 700+ words
...facilitates smooth introduction of full retail competition in S.A. (C)1994-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS...facilitate the smooth transition of full retail competition the Australian Competition and Consumer...domestic and business users. Full retail competition begins in South Australia on ...
- Executive Summary of Study on Retail Competition in Electric Utility Industry...
- Newspaper article from: U.S. Newswire June 25, 1996 700+ words
...The Potential Economic Impacts of Retail Competition in the Electric Utility Industry in...unthinkable - the introduction of retail competition to electricity service. Retail competition, commonly referred to as "retail...
- ACCC facilitates smooth introduction of full retail competition in the ACT.
- Press release article from: M2 Presswire February 7, 2003 700+ words
...facilitates smooth introduction of full retail competition in the ACT(C)1994-2003...facilitate a smooth transition to full retail competition, which begins in the ACT on 1 July 2003. Full retail competition allows consumers to choose their...