Part 3: Regulation of Gas and Electricity Markets Summary and Background General duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority and the Secretary of State
76.In carrying out its duties, Ofgem must act according to its objectives as set out in statute. Ofgem has a principal objective to protect the interests of existing and future consumers. Wherever it is appropriate to do so, it must fulfil that principal objective by promoting effective competition. Before this Act the interests of consumers were not defined. Ofgem must also take into account a range of secondary objectives.
77.It is the Government’s view that reducing greenhouse gas emissions (in order to mitigate climate change) and ensuring secure energy supplies are both in the interests of future and existing consumers and should be considered as such by Ofgem when carrying out its functions. The Government does not intend to change Ofgem’s principal objective nor to create multiple principal duties through these provisions, but to ensure that in its interpretation of its existing principal objective of protecting consumers, Ofgem gives due weight to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure security of supply.
78.Competitive solutions may take time to deliver, and the market may create barriers for some groups of consumers so that the promotion of competition may not be the most effective means of protecting their interests. These provisions clarify that Ofgem should consider using alternative types of solution to address the consumer detriment instead of, or alongside, measures to promote competition. Such solutions could include strengthened licence conditions and enforcement action, or other means that would prevent certain types of market behaviours.
79.These clarifications will also apply to those limited functions carried out by Scottish Ministers under the Acts.