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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May 2000.
INDEPENDENT ENERGY HOLDINGS PLC
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)
RADCLIFFE HOUSE
BLENHEIM COURT
SOLIHULL, WEST MIDLANDS B91 2AA
UNITED KINGDOM
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
(Indicated by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934).
Yes [ ] No [X]
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .)
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See attached press releases.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
INDEPENDENT ENERGY HOLDINGS PLC
Date: May 10, 2000 By:/s/ John Sulley
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John Sulley
Chief Executive
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
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99.1 Press Release of the Registrant, dated 10 May 2000
99.2 Press Release of Ofgem, dated 10 May 2000
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Exhibit 99.1
INDEPENDENT ENERGY HOLDINGS PLC
RE: OFGEM
Independent Energy is pleased to announce that is has agreed with the gas and
electricity regulator OFGEM an additional license condition which demonstrates
the Group's commitment to improve all areas of customer service following the
billing problems it has experienced.
The additional license condition reflects the Group's increased commitment to
the following three areas:
- - Accurate and prompt billing
- - Prompt processing of new customers
- - Prompt and effective response to customers
The Company will not register new domestic and very small business customers
until it has achieved its commitment to customers.
Independent Energy will work with its suppliers to achieve these agreed
standards as quickly as is practicable.
John Sulley, Chief Executive, Independent Energy Holdings PLC, commented:
"Our discussions with Ofgem follow the significant backlog in billing the group
has experienced. We have been active in trying to resolve these and to date over
60% of the backlog has been cleared. We anticipate substantially completing the
backlog by the end of June."
"This situation has resulted in a number of customer concerns which have put
further stain on our customer service operation and we have been working to find
a way of resolving this situation as quickly and effectively as possible. Our
first priority is to clear the backlog of all billing problems and to improve
the Group's call centre and customer service operations. We will do this before
taking on new customers in the domestic and very small business market, which
currently represents around 10% of Group turnover and profit."
"We are confident within a short space of time the Group will resolve its
customer service problems to provide an improved and superior service."
"During the last four years Independent Energy has earned a good reputation
amongst its medium sized business customers. As a new entrant to the market for
smaller electricity customers, I believe we can learn from our current
experiences to achieve the same high standard of customer satisfaction within
this market."
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the
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U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Although Independent Energy believes that its expectations are based on
reasonable assumptions, it cannot provide assurances that these expectations
will be achieved. Important factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not
limited to, success in implementing its business strategies, increases in the
cost of energy, its ability to develop or obtain the necessary systems required
by an expanding level of operations and changes in the economic and other
conditions in which it competes. Many of these factors are beyond are beyond the
control of Independent Energy and its management.
10 May 2000
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Exhibit 99.2
OFFICE OF GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKETS
NEWS
10th May 2000
R/56
OFGEM ANNOUNCES SPECIAL LICENSE CONDITION FOR INDEPENDENT ENERGY
Problems faced by Independent Energy (IE) in billing its domestic and business
customers have resulted in them today (Wednesday) agreeing to a new condition as
part of their electricity supply license following an investigation by energy
regulator Ofgem.
This condition is aimed at improving IE's performance in customer service and
the West Midlands-based company has agreed not to take on any new domestic and
small business electricity customers nor market to them until it has improved
its performance.
Ofgem Director General, Callum McCarthy, said: "By its own admission, the
company has faced significant problems during the past few months with setting
up accounts and billing many of its customers. Following detailed discussions
with the company, we have agreed the new license condition which sets our
requirements for performance in these areas.
"Customers are entitled to receive timely and accurate bills from their gas and
electricity suppliers and we are determined to ensure that they do. This special
license condition clearly signals our intent in this area not only to
Independent Energy but also to other suppliers."
For IE, the situation worsened when problems with the company call centre meant
that customers could not contact the company to discuss their problems and
resulted in a significant increase in complaints to Ofgem.
Although Ofgem accepts that improvements have since been made by IE, it is
concerned that progress is not fast enough and customers are still suffering as
a result. It is, therefore, proposing to make it a condition of IE's license to
take all necessary steps for the company to be able to:
o issue accurate and timely bills
o complete account cancellations
o improve the ways that customers ca contact the company and
o deal properly with complaints.
As part of the agreement with Ofgem, IE has stated that it will improve and
increase the information it provides to the regulator about its performance.
Independent Energy is an independent generator and supplier of gas and
electricity to both the business, commercial and domestic markets and is based
in Solihull, West Midlands.
