Routledge Handbook of Consumer Protection and Behaviour in Energy Markets

The Routledge Handbook of Consumer Protection and Behaviour in Energy Markets provides a comprehensive study of consumer protection and consumer behaviour in selected jurisdictions worldwide. Each chapter is written by experts and provides a contemporary overview of national consumer protection and policy developments in the energy sector.

Today energy has become an essential factor in ensuring the socio-economic development of any country and improving the quality of life of society and is now an essential element of life for everyone. The energy market has become a competitive market, based on the assumption that generation and sale of energy is not a natural monopoly and that market mechanisms, in particular competition between energy companies, are the best way to reduce prices and improve customer service. The purchase of energy is inextricably linked with its distribution from the producer to the purchaser.

The book shows that well-functioning energy markets need informed and well protected consumers, who can benefit from competition and transparent offers. They are free to choose the most competitive providers, and know their rights, with access to effective means of redress. Given that the energy market has a specific, technical nature, the book analyses the energy market within the scope of free market principles, with a focus on the protection of the weaker party to the contract: the consumer. In addition, consumers can also play an active part of the clean energy transition.

Tina Soliman Hunter is a professor of Energy and Resources Law, director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Innovation and Transformation (CENRIT), and deputy director of the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre at Macquarie University. She teaches and researches in offshore petroleum and energy law, encompassing decommissioning and CCS, as well as energy security and Russian Arctic petroleum law. Her research is multidisciplinary in nature, including working with engineers, geologists, and political scientists. She is a visiting professor of Earth Sciences at Tomsk State University and an honorary professor at the University of Eastern Finland.

Marcin Kraśniewski, Ph.D. of Law, is an assistant professor at the Department of Energy Transition at the University of Economics in Katowice. In 2021–2022, he worked at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lucerne. He specialises in public economic law, European economic law, energy law, economic regulation, administrative law and procedure, as well as the functioning of infrastructure sectors. He is the author of over 50 scientific publications. He is a member of the World Energy Council, accredited to the United Nations, and a member of the Polish Association of European Law. He has been a secretary and collaborator at the Climate and Energy Laboratory of the Centre for Antitrust and Regulatory Studies at the University of Warsaw. He was also a Polish delegate to the COP26 (Glasgow) and COP28 (Dubai) climate summits.

Jurgita Malinauskaite is professor of Law and the Head of Brunel Law School, Brunel University London. She is also a visiting professor at Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania. Her research expertise lies in competition law, energy law, and waste law, and also embraces interdisciplinary aspects. She has published three books; her latest book (co-authored with Professor Jouhara) is titled Sustainable Energy Technology, Business Models, and Policies: Theoretical Peripheries and Practical Implications and was published in 2023. She has also published widely in leading journals, including the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Energy, and Energy Policy.

Marzena Czarnecka is a professor (habilitated doctor) of economic sciences, a legal advisor and the head of the Department of Energy Transition at the University of Economics in Katowice. She is also a lecturer at numerous universities in Europe, including University Saarbrucken Germany, University of Granada Spain. She is a judge at the Disciplinary Court of the District Chamber of Legal Advisors in Katowice and is the manager of several international and national projects. Additionally, she is the author and co-author of numerous domestic and foreign publications on topics such as energy, energy markets, energy transition, decarbonisation, energy law, and consumer protection. She is a practising attorney at law and is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications. Marzena Czarnecka has served as a Minister of Industry since 13 December 2023 in the Third Cabinet of Donald Tusk.