Implementing midata in the energy sector: call for evidence
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
This is the government response to the December 2016 call for evidence on implementing midata in the energy sector. The call for evidence sought respondents’ views on a number of practical implementation issues, including:
- how to derive maximise benefit for consumers
- how to ensure the quality of customer data suppliers provide
- who can access the data
- what safeguards should be in place to protect customers’ data from misuse
Next steps
The introduction of midata into the energy sector will be delivered through amendments to Ofgem’s supply licence conditions and a cross-referenced specification.
A cross-government project team, supported by leading players in the data space such as the Open Data Institute, the Alan Turing Institute and Energy Systems Catapult, will work closely with stakeholders to define, design and implement the new licence condition and specification. Three working groups (user engagement, design authority and industry delivery) will meet over the summer of 2018 to consider aspects of the design specification.
A Project Lab event is being held on Friday 27 July to initiate this engagement phase.
We received 29 responses from a range of stakeholders, including:
- energy suppliers
- price comparison websites
- technology companies
- consumer groups
The majority of respondents welcomed the introduction of mandatory Midata to the sector and recognised the benefits that putting consumers in control of their data would bring. However respondents recognised and discussed potential solutions for the outstanding challenges around ‘by default’ access arrangements, consumer consent, determining appropriate levels of consumer verification, the specification of data fields and the monitoring and compliance regime.
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
Midata is a method of electronically transferring customers’ data (with their consent), from a company system to a third party or price comparison website (PCW) using an Application Programming Interface (API). For an energy consumer, this means that they can use an application (app) or website developed by a PCW to compare energy tariffs using the actual usage/account details held by their current supplier. Midata makes comparing tariffs quicker and easier and enables more accurate comparisons. Midata also allows energy suppliers to develop customer acquisition tools, including apps, so customers can switch to a supplier without a PCW or Third Party Intermediary (TPI).
The government took powers in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 that would allow it to mandate third party electronic access to customers’ data in regulated sectors, including energy.
The government has developed a draft technical specification with the energy sector. There are, however, a number of practical implementation issues to consider in taking this forward. These include:
- how to derive maximise benefit for consumers
- how to ensure the quality of customer data suppliers provide
- who can access the data
- what safeguards should be in place to protect customers’ data from misuse
Responses to this call for evidence will be used to inform draft regulations.
Documents
Last updated 27 July 2018 + show all updates
-
Added government response.
-
First published.