ScottishPower today welcomed the opening of the final stage in energy competition enabling about 750,000 households in four areas of the UK to choose their electricity supplier. The first householders in Scotland to have this opportunity are in the Motherwell, Hamilton, Airdrie and Lanark areas.

ScottishPower and its subsidiary Manweb, which cover two of areas to open in the first phase of electricity deregulation, already supply 3.1 million of the UK's 25 million domestic customers.

Charles Berry, Managing Director of Energy Supply, said he looked forward to offering the cost and customer benefits of ScottishPower's multi-utility products to the widest possible market.

"Having won more than 400,000 customers since the domestic gas market opened, ScottishPower is ideally placed to attract even more energy customers through our 'dual fuel' offer which combines gas and electricity in a unique one-bill package.

"The battle for the electricity market has barely begun but losses in our home regions have been minimal and early returns from our campaigns in the other areas show that electricity customers are particularly attracted by our 'dual fuel' offer."

ScottishPower has spent more than £100 million on computer systems and customer service innovations to place it at the head of the competitive UK electricity market which is due to be completely deregulated by mid-1999.

Mr Berry added: "The average household electricity bill from ScottishPower is now £263.09 which, in real terms, is the lowest bill since 1974. Earlier this year, we also reduced costs further for our pre-payment customers and those who pay their bills promptly."

Further Information:
Ann Hood, ScottishPower Press Office 0141 248 8200.

Note to Editors:
Average annual household bill shown is based on an annual usage of 3,300 kWh on ScottishPower's Domestic tariff and excludes VAT.

The four areas are: Motherwell, Hamilton, Lanark and Airdrie
Chester, Mold and Holywell
Norwich, Fakenham, Lowestoft and Cromer
Hull, Hornsea and Beverley