Ofgem
Ofgem is Britain’s independent energy regulator. Our role is to protect consumers now and in the future by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system
Who we are
Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We work to protect energy consumers, especially vulnerable people, by ensuring they are treated fairly and benefit from a cleaner, greener environment.
We are responsible for:
- working with government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a net-zero economy, at the lowest cost to consumers
- stamping out sharp and bad practice, ensuring fair treatment for all consumers, especially the vulnerable
- enabling competition and innovation, which drives down prices and results in new products and services for consumers.
Our powers and approach to regulation
We operate in a statutory framework set by Parliament. This establishes our duties and gives us powers to achieve our objectives.
The government is responsible for setting the policy for the energy sector and proposing any changes to this statutory framework. We have a clear role to play to support policy issues such as decarbonisation and we need to operate within this framework. We do not direct overall policy in the sector. However, where we think there are important policy gaps that affect consumers, we can call this out.
We continually seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach. This includes setting out the costs and benefits, as well as the social and environmental impacts, of all major decisions.
We regulate only where necessary to protect consumers’ interests and we carefully consider whether any regulatory requirement we propose is proportionate. We carry out investigations into company behaviour when we believe they may have breached a condition of their licence, or the requirements of consumer protection, or competition legislation.
We have the power to require disclosure of information, and to impose fines and enforcement orders on companies where we find that a breach has occurred (apart from breaches of consumer law where penalties cannot be imposed).
Our strategic vision
- By 2025, our vision is for an energy system to be on track for net-zero, delivered in the interests of consumers, including:
- Energy consumers receiving good value energy services and fair treatment from innovative, world-class, energy companies, with protections for the vulnerable
- An electricity sector able to function without fossil fuels, with a growing share of low-cost renewables, alongside the development and deployment of other sources of low carbon power
- Rapid growth in the use of electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps and heat networks, and decisions taken on the role of hydrogen
- To minimise costs, increasing levels of flexibility throughout the system, with energy consumers routinely using smart technology to shift demand
- A data-enabled energy sector, with ubiquitous smart metering and open access to data stimulating new services and markets, and reducing costs.
Our priorities and objectives
We have identified five areas where we believe we should focus our efforts to achieve the greatest impact, alongside our core regulatory responsibilities.
Our new strategic framework has two enduring priorities and five strategic change programmes to help deliver the transition to net-zero in the interests of consumers.
Enduring priorities
- Protecting the interests of consumers by regulating the energy sector.
- Running current and new government schemes to support vulnerable consumers and advance decarbonisation.
Strategic change programmes
- To enable investment in low carbon infrastructure at a fair price.
- To deliver full chain flexibility in how we generate, use and store energy.
- To deliver a future retail market that works for all consumers and the planet.
- To unlock the benefits of data and digitalisation.
- To ensure energy system governance, including Ofgem, are fit for the future.
Every year we publish a Forward Work Programme (FWP). We use the FWP to explain in detail the work we will carry out over the next 12 month period to help us achieve our objectives.
Core stats
Number of employees
501-1000
Tech Stack
Our tech stack includes, but is not limited to:
Backend
Frontend
DevOps
Data
Past Events
03
AUG
Green, Fair Future: Net zero networks
About
The UK energy sector is going through a major transformation. Our price controls for the energy networks will play an unprecedented role in shaping the GB energy system to work for current and future generations as we accelerate efforts for a low-carbon future.
In the summer of 2019, the UK government legislated a target to reduce UK carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. The Welsh and Scottish governments have also made net zero commitments.
Our energy system needs ongoing investment to support these ambitions and ensure the excellent security and reliability that consumers expect. And with that comes great opportunities to support a green economic recovery from the pandemic.
Join us at our Net Zero Networks virtual event covering:
• The importance of network price controls in achieving net zero emissions
• Ofgem’s network price control model ‘RIIO-2’, and how it supports the advancement of decarbonisation in the UK and how this can be applied globally
• The evolution and application of Ofgem’s RIIO Price Control model and lessons learnt
• Consumer benefits and trade-offs regulators will need to consider in net zero
• How to meet the needs of consumers and network users through network price controls
• How to create a framework that better encourages and accelerates innovation
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November, an event of global significance for coordinated action on climate change. Ofgem is determined not just to do everything we can to support a carbon-neutral future in the UK, but to use COP26 to accelerate greener, fairer energy globally through collaboration with international regulators.
Why attend?
• Get an overview of the energy networks in GB and their role in supporting UK net zero ambitions, alongside different international regulation models
• Understand the importance of consumer and network user engagement in a price control process and our approach to facilitating innovation through price control mechanisms
• Hear how you can get involved in the Electricity Distribution Price Controls process, which will be fundamental to how we heat our homes, drive our cars and help prepare Britain from plant to plug for a greener energy future
• Connect and network with fellow attendees in real-time via our interactive, fully virtual event platform
• Support international and cross-sector collaboration on the energy transition for a greener, fairer energy future
Expert panellists including:
- Matt Hastings, Deputy Director - Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, UKRI Innovate UK
- Sul Alli, Director of Customer Service, Strategy, Regulation and Information Systems, UKPN
- Alex Sundakov, Executive Director, Castalia
- Alfred Mwila, Director of Economic Regulation, Energy Regulation Board (ERB)
- Charlotte Friel, Deputy Director of Strategy Planning and Change, Ofgem
- Steve McMahon, Deputy Director for Electricity Distribution, Ofgem
- James Veaney, RIIO-ED2 Project Director, Ofgem
- Emily Seto, Senior Strategy Manager, Ofgem
Stay updated by following the #GreenFairFuture hashtag on social media, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Book your place and access the full event programme using the tickets link above. We look forward to welcoming you!
29
JUL
Green, Fair Future: Delivering the flexible energy system of the future
About
Around two thirds of electricity generation is forecast to come from wind and solar power by 2050. At the same time, the expected growth in electric vehicles and electric heat pumps could result in peak demand doubling by 2045.
Managing demand more flexibly could drastically reduce the investment in new generation storage and network infrastructure needed to maintain a reliable system, but this requires a revolution in how we use our energy.
Join us on 29 July to explore approaches to flexibility and energy system digitalisation with a range of expert international speakers, part of our Green, Fair Future programme of events in the run up to November’s COP26 climate change talks in Glasgow.
We are determined not just to do everything we can to support a carbon-neutral future in the UK, but to use COP26 to accelerate greener, fairer energy globally through collaboration on learnings and best practice.
Event topics:
• Creating a green future through smarter and more flexible energy systems
• Consumer empowerment and protection in a flexible market
• The role of storage and interconnectors in delivering flexibility
• Reforming markets to reward flexibility
• Energy system data and digitalisation
Why attend?
• This is a free-to-attend event from Ofgem where you can join the conversation, and connect with fellow delegates via the fully virtual event platform throughout the live sessions
• Hear from an expert range of international speakers and gain new perspectives through case studies from across governments, industry and regulation in the energy sector
• Learn about how flexibility across energy systems is being approached globally
Expert panellists including:
- Dr Annegret Groebel, President, CEER
- Audrey Ziebleman, Vice President, X’s Electric Grid Moonshot
- Randolph Brazier, Director of Innovation & Electricity Systems, Energy Networks Association
- Jojo Hubbard, Co-founder and CEO, Coordination of local and national markets (Electron)
- Philippe Vassilopoulos, Director of Product Development, EPEX
- Kayte O’Neill, Head of Markets, Electricity System Operator
- Simone Torino, Head of Product and Business Development - Utilities, CK Delta
- Madeleine Greenhalgh, Policy and Advocacy Manager and ESN Policy Lead, Regen
- Alex Belsham-Harris, Principle Policy Manager, Citizens Advice
- Shân Millie, Founder, Bright Blue Hare
- Danae Marshall, Head of Energy Data, BEIS
- James Morgan, Head of Smart Energy Cyber Security, BEIS
- Hannah Clapham, Head of Electricity Storage, BEIS
- Melanie Bryce, Oxfordshire Programme Director, SSEN
- Mark Horsley, CEO, Enabling smart buildings (Hydrogen Home Newcastle)
- Rich Smith, Director, Energy Systems Management & Security, Ofgem
- Natasha Zoe Smith, Head of European Wholesale Markets, Ofgem
- Meghna Tewari, Head of Retail Market Policy, Ofgem
- Helen Crooks, Chief Data Officer, Ofgem
Stay updated by following the #GreenFairFuture hashtag on social media, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Book your place and access the full event programme using the tickets link above. We look forward to welcoming you!
Blogs
New Ofgem.gov.uk website
We have a new look Ofgem.gov.uk website and we would like to take you through some of the key changes we have made.
Ofgem’s strategy to deliver a greener, fairer future
Ofgem will continue to work closely with the government, industry and wider stakeholders to help Britain make the transition to net zero at the lowest cost to consumers.
Our Benefits
Perks
- Flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
- 5 days paid for volunteering
- 5 days paid leave for learning and development
- Staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
Holiday
- Full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
- In addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day for the Queen’s Birthday
- Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
Perks
- Flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
- 5 days paid for volunteering
- 5 days paid leave for learning and development
- Staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
Holiday
- Full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
- In addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day for the Queen’s Birthday
- Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
Locations
Type in a part of your address to begin
London
10 South Colonnade, London, England E14 4, GB
Glasgow
Commonwealth House, 32 Albion Street, 3rd Floor, Glasgow, Scotland G1 1LH, GB
Cardiff
Tŷ William Morgan 6-7 Central Square Cardiff CF10 1EP