Chart of the week | TPIs hit by the COVID-19 pandemic

Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) operating in the business market in 2020 have experienced significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cornwall Insight’s 2020 Annual TPI report published earlier this week found that when negotiating business energy contracts in 2020, TPIs could target a £335mn/year revenue pool, an 18% decrease on 2019 levels. In this week’s ‘Chart of the week’, we look at how national lockdowns and the uncertainty in the market have led to a decrease in growth in both the SME and I&C sectors.

The SME market for TPIs has been sharply impacted by COVID-19, with total revenue for TPIs operating in this segment at £190mn in 2020, a decrease from £225mn in 2019. 

To keep reading, please log in to your account

Related thinking

Business supply and services

REGOs still highly valued by business customers in 2021

Renewable energy continued to be a focal point in Cornwall Insight’s 2021 Third Party Intermediary (TPI) satisfaction survey. The annual survey addressed the importance of a supplier’s green credentials for the second year in a row, finding that there is shifting interest in green energy from non-domestic customers and that...

Business supply and services

Uptake of energy efficiency measures predicted to increase in the SME market

Cornwall Insight recently conducted research as part of its 2021 TPIs in the Business and Industrial Supply Markets report. The report shows that TPIs operating in the SME market note low uptake of energy efficiency measures from their clients currently. However, there is an expectation that this will increase in...

Home supply and services

Domestic switching falls as the savings gap is squeezed

With day-ahead gas reaching an all-time high of 187.50p/th as of 15 September, it has been a record-breaking summer for wholesale energy prices. This Chart of the Week explores the impact these high prices are having on domestic tariffs and consumer switching behaviour.

Business supply and services

SMEs (Small and medium businesses) experience record breaking prices

In Q321 the average SME gas contract was priced at the highest value since we started tracking propositions in 2012 (4.98p/th for 1-year acquisition contracts that assume a 25MWh annual consumption). Our Pricing in the SME Gas/Power Markets reports also shows SME electricity contracts seeing record highs, priced at 19.95p/kWh...

Low carbon generation

A podium finish: ROC banking in CP19

The Renewables Obligation (RO) Compliance Period (CP) 19 (2020-21) has been unusual in the scheme’s history in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we are in the so-called “compliance season” for CP19, we reflect on the last year and the importance that Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) “banking”...

Business supply and services

SME’s interest in renewables driven by corporates

Despite the challenging year for businesses, we recorded growing interest in renewable electricity amongst businesses and Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) according to our TPI Satisfaction Survey for 2020. This has been a focus for Industrial and Commercial's (I&Cs) over the last two years driven by corporate social responsibility goals, particularly...

Commercial and market outlook

Chart of the week | Green recovery in Italy?

Issue 229 of ‘Chart of the week’ showcases Italian prime minister Mario Draghi’s economic recovery plan which was presented to the country’s parliament. The appointment of Mario Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, as prime minister on 13 February has provided the country with a unique opportunity to...

Low carbon generation

Chart of the week | Higher or lower? Transitioning to the UK ETS

Carbon prices, especially the EU Emission Trading System (ETS), have experienced considerable volatility over the last year, influenced first by COVID-19, which saw prices crash, and more recently by expectations of increased EU climate ambitions, driving prices to record highs. In this Chart of the Week, we consider the potential...