"Network profits will still be too high" - Citizens Advice responds to final decisions for RIIO-ED2

As the statutory consumer watchdog for the energy market, Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem’s final decisions for the next electricity distribution price control (known as RIIO-ED2).

Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy for Citizens Advice, said:

“Networks have been allowed to make excessive profits for far too long. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, Ofgem is right to challenge them to operate as efficiently as possible - which will help lower people’s bills. 

“Today's announcement shows some progress in getting better value for money for consumers. It should also mean networks can reinforce key infrastructure so there is the capacity to connect electric vehicles, heat pumps and wind-farms, helping to deliver the net-zero transition. 

“However, network profits will still be too high and targets too easy. We believe Ofgem could have gone further and cut at least £1.5 billion more off people’s bills.“

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  2. Our network of charities offers impartial advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

  3. Citizens Advice helped 2.55 million people face to face, over the phone, by email and webchat in 2021-22. And we had 40.6 million visits to our website. For full service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  4. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 18,500 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.

  5. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh language speakers.