Energy competition inquiry must look at the bigger picture if it is to clear the air

We know that the investigation will look at profits, prices, switching, market share and so on. I agree that this must be central and I am confident the cost of government levies and how they are collected - through bills instead of taxes - will also come under the CMA's microscope. The green levies currently add around £100 to the bill and are due to double by 2020, so they must be paid for more fairly.

But what about interconnectors, gas storage, the role of switching sites, smart metering and perhaps the biggest issue of all, in terms of affordability, the cost of investment decisions?

Everything not already economically price-regulated should be examined. A meaningful inquiry cannot dodge these issues because they are difficult. If the investigation is to "clear the air" then these big issues must also be in scope.

The CMA investigation should also cover all customers - whether they're households, small businesses or industrial users. Unless the CMA looks at all of these areas, I fear this once-in-a-generation opportunity may be an opportunity missed.

And throughout any inquiry it is time for this industry to listen and change, not be defensive or scaremonger. The choice facing energy companies is simple: attempt to carry on regardless without the trust of customers or stand up and be counted.

At SSE we have frozen our prices. At SSE we want to clear the air. Between now and 2016 we have a unique opportunity to work to get the costs of energy down over the long term.

Alistair Phillips-Davies is Chief Executive of SSE

more