National Grid 'to fight Ofgem fine'
The National Grid has announced that it will fight the record fine levied on the firm by regulator Ofgem.A total of £41.6 million is being demanded by the watchdog, due to what it says is National Grid's anti-competitive behaviour.It is alleged that the distributor blocked competition in the gas meter market - slowing the introduction of next-generation metering in UK homes.This has a knock-on effect in the amount that consumers pay for their gas and electricity.An appeal against the fine was lodged by the National Grid yesterday, the Daily Telegraph reports.Last week, Ofgem also launched a probe into allegations that the UK's 'big six' energy providers are operating as a 'closed cartel' - co-ordinating bill rises to the disadvantage of the consumer.The move follows the decision of five of the six to increase the cost of their general tariffs by an average of over ten per cent since the beginning of the year.
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