Ofgem

Ofgem regulates and reviews the energy market and how it affects consumers.

Short for the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets, Ofgem’s priorities lie in the protection of its customers.

As a regulator Ofgem is made up of two business units, Ofgem and Ofgem E-Serve. It strives to maintain fairness in the gas and electricity markets by promoting competition, where appropriate, and regulating the monopoly companies which run the gas and electricity networks.

Ofgem is also interested in the drive to curb climate change, particularly through the  reduction of greenhouse gases.

Other priorities and influences include:

• Helping the gas and electricity industries to achieve environmental improvements as efficiently as possible.

• Taking account of the needs of vulnerable customers, particularly older people, those with disabilities and those on low incomes.

• Creating and sustaining competition.

• Regulating networks effectively.

• Helping to achieve sustainability.

• Helping to protect the security of Britain’s energy supplies.

• Providing a leading voice in Europe.

• Helping to tackle fuel poverty.

• Keeping to better regulation principles.

Ofgem is governed by an authority of executive and non executive members whose expertise range from finance, social policy, environmental work and industry.