IET: Energy – The Big Six: comment from Europe’s largest engineers’ group

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe’s largest engineers’ body, with 150,000 members in 127 countries, has commented on the recent summit held by Prime Minister David Cameron, and Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, with the six biggest power firms, consumer groups, and the regulator Ofgem.

Dr Simon Harrison, Chair of the IET Energy Policy Panel said, “"We at the IET believe it's in nobody's long term interests for there to be public suspicion and distrust in the energy industry as this will impact on consumers’ willingness to engage in smart metering, a smart grid and so on. A level playing field needs to be created to enable new types of energy supplier to enter the market, with incentives for both them and the existing big six to innovate to create customer engagement with energy saving and demand management, and investment to deploy low carbon technologies at household and business level."

Ends

Notes to editors:
§ Dr Simon Harrison, and other IET experts are available for interview and comment.
§ The IET is Europe’s largest professional body of engineers with 150,000 members in 127 countries.
§ For more information, visit www.theiet.org.

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