In our monitoring of the retail energy market for gas and electricity, we collect and analyse a vast range of data. Our retail market indicators give a snapshot of this monitoring. They draw from a comprehensive framework which underpins our ongoing monitoring, including our annual update on the retail energy markets in Great Britain. You can view these updates in the related publications section below.
Our interactive retail market indicators
Select from the below to view the indicators in detail and for an overview of our monitoring themes.
If you have feedback on the indicators, please contact us [7].
Retail highlights December 2020
Prices and Profits
As of 28 November 2020, the average price of SVTs for the large legacy suppliers for a typical dual fuel customer paying with direct debit was £1,042, unchanged from October 2020 and coinciding with the winter default tariff cap level.
The cheapest tariff basket from the ten cheapest suppliers in November 2020 was priced at £844, down by £10 compared to the previous month. As a result, the differential between the average price of SVTs for the large legacy suppliers and the cheapest tariff basket increased from £188 in October 2020 to £198 in November 2020. It is the second consecutive month this differential has been below £200, the first time since February 2019.
See the definition of domestic supplier groups [8] in the "more information" tab of our market share indicators.
Switching
In October 2020, the number of switches rose by 14% compared to September 2020. In electricity it rose from 487,925 to 549,232 and in gas it rose from 354,300 to 415,114. Compared to the same month in 2019, switches were up 4% in electricity and down 4% in gas.
For the 12 months up to October 2020, there were 5.8 million switches in electricity, and 4.4 million in gas. This is stable for electricity and down 7% for gas, compared to the 12 months up to October 2019.
In October 2020, the proportion of net gains in switching away from the large legacy suppliers made up 23% of total switches for gas and electricity combined, up from 19% in October 2019.
See the definition of domestic supplier groups [8] in the "more information" tab of our market share indicators.
See Switching.
Market structure
Prices and profits
Switching
We look at trends in external switching (between suppliers) and internal switching (with the same supplier) to understand levels of consumer engagement. We also look at average switching times, an indicator of process quality.
Methodology and sources
We have selected this range of indicators to support general understanding of the market, including how they contribute to the key priorities outlined in our strategic narrative [64]. We also aim to provide a picture of the market where it is not produced elsewhere, or where there is scope for us to set a clear methodology for the data.
Our data comes from sources that are either publicly available, provided by third parties or from responses to Ofgem information requests. Specific sources and relevant dates are listed with each indicator. We are grateful to third parties for allowing us to reproduce their data.
Most of these indicators will be updated quarterly while still allowing access to historic information. Updates will depend on the availability of data for an indicator.
We will review the indicators periodically to ensure they continue to help promote transparency and understanding of the retail energy market and as additional sources of information become available.
Related publications
State of the energy markets 2019 [65]
State of the energy markets 2018 [66]
State of the energy markets 2017 [67]
Retail energy markets in 2016 [68]
Retail energy markets in 2015 [69]
State of the market assessment 2014 [70]
These market indicators and data are not intended for use or to be relied on for any commercial purposes. View copyright and disclaimer [71]