OCU Condemns the business practices of electricity companies and demands competition in the sector

After bringing together almost half a million families and getting a lower electricity bill for more than 27,000 OCU has decided to continue with the “I want to pay less for my electricity” movement by carrying out various actions so that consumers can enjoy competition in the electricity sector and to clean up malpractice. In order to do this it has filed two complaints.

The first is the practice known as slamming. This is when a sales representative turns up at the consumer's home and by misleading arguments, gets them to change their electricity contract to another company. In cases detected, there is an additional problem: these commercial representatives impersonate the identity of OCU, using their reports and credibility.
The really serious problem is that many consumers who have moved to the free market, do not know they have done so. OCU asks what percentage of the 1.6 million domestic customers, who in one year moved over to the free market, did so because of these unethical practices.

The second complaint is the lack of competition in the electricity sector. OCU has expressed its concern to the National Commission on Financial Markets and Competition (CNMC) about what happened in the auction OCU organized last September. Half a million families were interested in this initiative and not one of the big electricity companies wanted to make an offer. It is significant that none of them want to compete for half a million homes and it continues to be an example of what has happened in Spain since the electricity market was liberalised in 2003: the top 5 operators still control 75% of the market.

In this situation, OCU demands that the CNMC must:
•  Promote all measures necessary to ensure that until a competitive energy market is guaranteed, a tariff is maintained that ensures access to energy at transparent and reasonable prices.
•  Take the necessary steps to ensure real and effective liberalisation by allowing the entry of new operators.
•  Inform consumers about the true cost of energy with bills that are clearer and more uniform.

OCU has decided to continue the citizens’ movement "I want to pay less for my electricity" in addition to the complaints lodged. Activity continues on the web at  www.quieropagarmenosluz.org where citizens can join the movement, check the manifesto and learn about the latest news related to the movement and the energy market in the blog:
www.quieropagarmenosluz.org/blog. The purpose of this blog is to keep all the citizens informed about the various activities carried out to ensure that consumers pay less for their electricity bill.
For more information (media) Eva Jimenez Tel:   917 226 061
prensa@ocu.org