Ofwat to investigate Thames for possible alleged abuse of a dominant position

Ofwat is investigating allegations that Thames Water has contravened the prohibition in Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 by abusing a dominant position. The allegations relate to:

• the approach Thames has taken when installing digital smart meters and the impact this has had on providers of data logging services and their customers;

• the accuracy of the data about customers that Thames Water made available to retailers at the time of the opening of the business retail market; and

• the fairness of certain contractual credit terms that Thames Water applies to retailers.

Ofwat said it will gather information from a number of parties and assess this with a view to identifying whether Thames Water has abused a dominant position.