Against the backdrop of soaring fuel prices and other factors, a series of cases in which companies engaged in the retail business of electric power called "new electric power" withdrew from the business, and the Fair Trade Commission announced that the competitive environment with major electric power companies is becoming increasingly severe. We decided to start a fact-finding survey to see if it was at a disadvantage.
Since the liberalization of the electricity market in 2016, a number of new electric power retailing companies have sprung up.
It has been pointed out that the competitive environment is unfavorable compared to major power companies that also handle power generation and transmission, so the Fair Trade Commission has decided to conduct a fact-finding survey of about 130 companies, including major new power companies and major power companies. became.
Specifically, when new electric power purchases electricity in the wholesale market, we will investigate whether it is disadvantaged in terms of price and conditions compared to major retailers under its umbrella through questionnaires and interviews.
According to the private research firm Teikoku Databank, there were 706 new electric power companies as of April last year, but by the 28th of last month, 146 companies had suspended contracts or withdrawn. That's it.
Based on the results of the fact-finding survey, the Japan Fair Trade Commission plans to compile a report within the next year on issues in the electricity market and points to be improved.