Thursday 24 September 2015

Customers ‘could self-supply by 2020’

It will be "common" for customers to self-supply energy and go off the grid by 2020.

That’s according to a survey by Vlerick Business School’s Energy Centre in partnership with KPMG.

It asked energy executives from 24 countries, which represent 70% of the European consumers, about the changes they foresee in the industry in the next five years.

More than a third of them believe self-supply would be a typical choice for customers and it would affect supply-demand balance.

Almost all respondents, 98% think the trend towards more decentralised electricity generation will continue.

It also found 86% expect big changes in innovation while 75% see progress in asset management.

Asked about policies, nearly 94% expect important changes on a regulatory level but 50% think that regulatory commissions have a good understanding of the complexity and challenges the industry faces.

Daniel Dobbeni, Chairman of Vlerick’s Energy Centre said: "Decentralised and renewable electricity as well as customers becoming self-suppliers will change the power sector like never before. Industry actors must therefore quickly acquire new knowledge and experiences. We believe that dedicated education, networking and research will support DSOs in achieving their ambitious objectives."