Ofgem urges Big Six to sell more energy to help smaller suppliers Ofgem had last year mooted the proposal at a 20pc level, but had specified little about the markets on which the energy would be required to be sold. Since then a number of suppliers, such as SSE and E.ON, have committed to sell increased proportions of their electricity on day-ahead markets. However, the regulator wants to see more being sold on forward markets, for energy to be supplied months or years ahead, to help small suppliers insulate themselves from the volatility of short-term energy prices. Ofgem said the proposals would "require the Big Six to sell a range of different products so independent suppliers would be able to hedge their positions more effectively on the forward markets and therefore compete on a more level playing field." The 25pc target, "much of which" would be on the forward markets, would equate to nearly half of all household power use in Britain. A spokesman for the regulator said: "For peak products more than one year out our proposals would see an increase of at least four times current traded volumes." Consultation on the proposals will end this summer, at which point Ofgem expects to publish its final reforms. Any resultant regulation would not come into force before the end of the year. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said: "I welcome Ofgem's proposals and the momentum that is building behind badly-needed reforms of our energy market. Consumers will get the best deals when suppliers face tough competition and that is what both Government and regulator are working to achieve. Right now only six big companies have 99pc of domestic customers - energy bill payers in this country need more and better choices. Mr Davey said the government had already cut red tape for small suppliers to "give them a leg up into the market."