Options at a Glance

Special “social tariffs” only accessible by vulnerable consumers.

Specific forms of financial support from government which may or may not be confined to energy bills.

Policies and regulations imposed on suppliers that apply only to vulnerable consumers

Initiatives that focus on reducing energy consumption in housing populated by vulnerable consumers

Education or public information campaigns targeted at the vulnerable.

Increasingly digital technology such as smart meters that enable demand response and distributed generation are also being used in a targeted way to reduce the energy costs of the vulnerable.

Supplier choice and digital tools to allow consumers to compare tariffs from competing energy suppliers is another mechanism that has been embraced in reformed energy markets. This approach is only possible when cost-reflective pricing has been implemented.