Today, the Utility Regulator publishes our consultation paper on ‘Third Party Intermediaries in the Energy Market’.
The consultation initiates a project which aims to ensure that non-domestic consumers and micro/small generators engaging with Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) are adequately informed and protected.
In 2023/24, we undertook a programme of research as part of our Review of the Regulation of the Non-domestic Energy Retail Market, which identified several areas requiring further investigation, one of which was the operation of TPIs.
As a result, our Consumer Protection Programme 2024-2029 included a project to develop our understanding of the operation of TPIs in Northern Ireland’s non-domestic energy retail market.
This consultation paper examines potential measures concerning TPIs in the energy retail market and invites views on these options.
These measures aim to increase consumer understanding of TPIs and ensure a sufficient and consistent level of protection.
The project also aims to develop our understanding of the activity of TPIs operating in the wholesale market between suppliers and micro/small scale generators, via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
We have posed questions to allow us to gather further information on TPI operations in this area.
We welcome comments from all stakeholders on these proposals by 17:00 on 6 November 2025.
Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.
For further information on the consultation, including details of how to response, please visit our consultation section