The main power utility PPC’s retail electricity market share dipped in January, ending an upward trajectory experienced in the previous year’s final quarter, energypress sources have informed.

PPC’s retail electricity market share at the end of January slipped to 85 percent from 85.4 percent in December, according to the sources. The utility captured an 84.21 percent share in November, up from 83.21 percent in October.

The power utility’s slight market share drop, combined with the moderately promising price level reached at the year’s first of four NOME auctions two days ago, provides some hope for increased electricity market competition in 2018 and consumer shifts to independent suppliers.

Official end-of-December data showed that Elpedison headed the pack of independent suppliers with a retail electricity market share of 3.4 percent, down from 3.72 percent in November. Mytilineos followed with 3.36 percent, from November’s 3.57 percent. Heron was ranked third with 3.19 percent, from 3.79 percent in November.