Moves to reclassify some of the work energy suppliers have done under the carbon emissions reduction target (Cert) have come under fire from fuel poverty campaigners.
EDF Energy and Eon have submitted proposals to Ofgem that would result in 32 per cent of work completed under Cert in social housing being reclassified. The work would be counted under the super priority group (SPG) figures, which would help companies hit their targets in a sub-sector they had been struggling with.
Ron Campbell, chief policy analyst at National Energy Action, said the plan “masks a failure on the part of the suppliers”.
A spokesman for Ofgem said the proposal was likely to be accepted, however, insisting “it is about being given recognition for the work that’s been done” rather than boosting SPG figures.
A spokesman for Eon claimed the move would also help future projects, such as the energy company obligation, by identifying vulnerable customers.
Npower welcomed the plans, saying they would “help us to
some degree in hitting our Cert SPG target”. British Gas said the move would “provide a fairer reflection of work done in SPG households”.
Suppliers can be fined up to 10 per cent of group turnover if they fail to hit targets by 31 December.
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 16th November 2012.
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