SSE Retail / Npower merger inquiry

The CMA has investigated the anticipated merger between SSE Retail and Npower.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
28 February 2018
Last updated
10 October 2018 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Energy
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 2 clearance
Opened:
28 February 2018
Closed:
10 October 2018

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 8.5.18

Statutory deadline: 22.10.18

Contact

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Final report

Provisional findings

30 August 2018: The CMA has provisionally cleared the merger between SSE Retail and Npower.

Issues statement

29 May 2018: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Response to provisional findings

Hearing summaries

Response to the issues statement

Response to the phase 1 decision

Group disclosure

Inquiry Group appointed

9 May 2018: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:

Anne Lambert (Chair), Susan Hankey, Keith Richards and John Thanassoulis.

Terms of reference

8 May 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated merger between SSE’s retail business and Npower for an in-depth investigation.

Phase 1

Reference decision

8 May 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated merger between SSE Retail and Npower for an in-depth investigation.

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date Action
8 May 2018 Decision announced
26 April 2018 Decision announced
28 February to 14 March 2018 Invitation to comment
27 February 2018 Launch of merger inquiry

Reference unless undertakings accepted

26 April 2018: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

Invitation to comment: Now closed

28 February 2018: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

27 February 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Published 28 February 2018
Last updated 10 October 2018 + show all updates

  1. Final report published.

  2. Response to provisional findings published.

  3. Provisional findings report and Appendices published.

  4. Provisional findings announced. Summary and notice of provisional findings published.

  5. Hearing summaries published.

  6. Hearing summaries published.

  7. Responses to the issues statement published.

  8. Response to the issues statement published.

  9. Response to the issues statement published.

  10. SSE Retail / Npower’s response to the phase 1 decision published under the evidence heading.

  11. Issues statement published.

  12. Full text decision published.

  13. Full administrative timetable published.

  14. Decision to refer published.

  15. Phase 2 inquiry group, group disclosure and terms of reference added.

  16. Case referred to Phase 2 investigation, Link to news story published

  17. Decision announced.

  18. First published.

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