The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, part of the UK energy watchdog Ofgem, has issued a Statement of Objections against National Grid as part of a Competition Act investigation into the provision of domestic-sized gas meters.
The statement sets out Ofgem’s proposed findings that National Grid has entered into long-term exclusive contracts for the provision of domestic gas meters with energy suppliers. The contracts are considered to lock suppliers into National Grid for a significant share of their gas meter requirements and thereby restrict the development of competition.
Ofgem believes that National Grid’s conduct amounts to an abuse of dominance, which infringes competition law. The regulator says it has given National Grid eight weeks to make written representations on the statement, with the subsequent opportunity of making oral representations, which Ofgem will take into account before making a final decision.