The changing face of energy

The energy industry is having somewhat of a shakeup over the last few years. Several factors are driving this change. The reputations that the big six energy providers have for pricing and customer service standards have caused a great deal of scope for up-and-coming energy brands to join the table.

Added to this, the unavoidable fact that climate change is a significant factor in all of our lives has meant that the energy industry has finally woken up to some of its responsibilities in this regard. 

The environmental impact 

This year the UK saw its first week of non-coal powered energy since 1882. Even though the demand for renewable energy is massive, we are still largely dependent on our ageing power stations with their heavy pollution. 

There are a number of focuses on reducing coal power within the UK with a shift to using biomass as a fuel source, as well as finding ways of reducing carbon outputs from power plants. 

With stringent targets to be met to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the industry, slow changes are being made. 

Will ESOS apply after the UK leaves the EU?

The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme is an assessment scheme to measure the UK's engagement within the European Union's Energy Efficiency directive. While Brexit still throws a great deal of uncertainty over so many aspects of British politics right now, it can be difficult to gauge how leaving the EU might affect the UK's participation in ESOS Phase 2. The compliance of which is due at the end of 2019, but what we can be sure of is that the policies and procedures of ESOS will be maintained post-Brexit. 

A customer service revolution

One of the other significant factors that are driving change within the energy industry is customer service. After years of problems with billings, and severe issues surrounding the treatment of their customers, many of the major energy companies have been taken to task by the ombudsman over the last few years. 

With many customers feeling angry and upset at their providers, there has been a gap in the market for new suppliers to seize power from the energy giants that had been acting as though they were too big to fail. 

With many new brands utilising interesting business models, such as paying out bonus' for recommending friends, there has been a large swelling in the ranks. From this, the market share of the big six has begun to diminish. 

With many offering 100% renewable energy, it has meant that consumers have started to demonstrate that climate change is a major concern. 

Moving towards carbon zero

While these changes are being made, and although we are doing well in comparison to many other major countries, we are still quite a distance away from meeting targets. The Extinction Rebellion protests have really brought the message to the country in recent months, that there is a great deal more than needs to be done.