Press Release: Consumers: Empowering consumers in the energy market – consumer and competition policies mutually reinforcing

On 22 May, 2008, Consumer Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva, delivered a keynote speech at the Slovenian Presidency Competition and Consumer day which was devoted to energy. She highlighted the importance of reinforcing and implementing the rights of EU energy consumers. Only consumers who are informed and confident that their rights will be respected will be active on the market, switching to an offer which best meets their needs. Consumer ability and confidence to make the right choices will reward the best suppliers and overall improve markets. In this way, consumer and competition policies are working hand in hand. The new Consumer Markets Scoreboard, launched in January this year, allows the Commission to assess how retail energy markets are delivering for consumers.