Letter: Power stations face competition

Sir: The Chairmen's Group of Electricity Consumers' Committees wants another investigation of the power generation market ("Consumers call for power investigation", 21 August).

The generating sector of the electricity industry is increasingly competitive and there is more competition to come. When the 22 million smaller customers are allowed to choose their electricity supplier (1998 or soon afterwards) the impact should be felt not only in the supply business but at the power stations, too. That must be a better way of promoting competition than an inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

But the clamour for yet another investigation may be simply a result of having committee meetings during a hot summer. I wonder if the Consumers' Committees' offices have air conditioning? Of course, I hope that they do.

DAVID PORTER.

Chief Executive

Association of Power Producers