Energywatch
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In the late 1990s the electricity and gas markets were privatised with a view to bring in competitions among the suppliers and thus to reduce the prices. In order to maintain the service at high levels the Government had set up the OFGEM(Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) and Energywatch. |
Role of OFGEM
OFGEM is the government regulator for the electricity and downstream natural gas
markets in Great Britain. The function of OFGEM is to “promote choice and value for
all gas and electricity customers”.
Role of Energywatch
Energywatch has been assigned with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the
interests of all the gas and electricity consumers in England, Scotland and Wales. The
organisation was created by Parliament during November 2000, under the provisions of the
Utility Act 2000. The present Chief Executive is Allan Asher. It is an independent consumer
body
The organization has enough powers to protect the interest of electricity and gas
consumers in United Kingdom. Information is derived through a complaint handling
processes and the issues of the consumers are sorted out and also analysed to identify
the problematic areas. Thus Energywatch acts as a watchdog and promotes
awareness of poor service providing companies. OFGEM and Energywatch work
together and investigate the complaints received from the customers and protec
them.
Major function of energy watch is to provide advice and information about consumer
matters and representing the views of customers to the ministers, regulatory
authorities (OFGEM),licence holders and other local authorities.
The duties of Energywatch
To investigate and seek to resolve complaints by customers.
To monitor performance and publish information of licensed gas and electricity
companies against statutory service standards set by OFGEM.
To publish complaints made against energy suppliers, transporters and distributors.
To safe guard the interests of disabled, chronically sick, elders, low income group
and rural community.
Contact Information
Head office postal address :
Energywatch
4th Floor
Artillery House
Artillery Row
London
SW1P 1RT
Website: www.energywatch.org.uk
Help line: 08459 06 07 08, to speak to an adviser.
Text phone: 18001 08459 06 07 08
People who are deaf or have speech and hearing impairment may use RNID Typetalk
service
To know more about Energy watch
You can visit the energywatch site to learn more about the organisation and find
answers to your questions. Click here.
Making a complaint
You can use a standard format available in the energywatch site to make a complaint
against the service provider.
Making complaint against energywatch
There is also a separate format for making a complaint against energywatch. The
same form can be used to give feedback to energywatch.
Useful Contact details
The website of Energywatch lists a number of useful contact details. Click here to
view Useful Contact details
You can visit the following link to get the assistance of energywatch
http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_and_advice/index.asp
How to make a complaint?
You can approach Energy watch to sort out any problems with your supplier such as
difficulty to change supplier, change to new supplier without consent, billing,
metering, pricing and safety aspects.
You must approach your supplier first and give an opportunity to resolve the problem
directly. If the supplier fails or if you are not satisfied with their action you can
approach Energy watch.
It is better to get the ‘complaint handling standards of service’ from your supplier that
explains the procedures adopted by the supplier for dealing with complaints. This will
help you to ensure that your complaint has been handled properly.