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November 22, 2004
Energy Smart launched to help reduce household fuel bills
Household fuel bills could be reduced by £1 billion a year through switching fuel suppliers and improving energy efficiency, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt MP will tell an energy consumer summit in London today.
Ms Hewitt and Energy Minister Mike O'Brien are launching a new drive to get consumers - particularly vulnerable consumers - to 'switch and save' and cut the cost of fuel bills this winter.
At the summit Ministers will outline specific annual savings for households with gas and electricity:
First time switchers could save up to £100 a year on fuel bills.
Changing payment method from standard credit (i.e. cheque/cash) to direct debit could save around £20 a year. Pre-payment meter users stand to save even more.
Energy efficient measures such as cavity wall insulation alone could save £35 a year.
Ms Hewitt said:
"We know that for many families fuel bills are a significant part of their weekly outgoings, and we need to do more to help the most vulnerable consumers benefit from big savings that are out there.
"Half of all households have never switched energy supplier, despite the fact that there are big savings still to be made. Our message today is simple - why pay more for your gas and electricity than you need to?"
Energy Minister Mr O'Brien said:
"This energy consumer summit is a call to action - government, regulators and industry together in a concerted drive to raise awareness of the savings available to consumers from shopping around, and the support available to vulnerable households.
"Improved winter benefits and energy efficiency grants since 1997 have helped cut by two-thirds the number of fuel poor homes. But as winter starts to bite we have to ensure that the poorest in particular know what steps they can take to reduce their fuel bills further."
The summit will launch the 'Energy Smart' awareness-raising campaign run by consumer watchdog Energywatch, industry regulator Ofgem and supported by the DTI. Representatives of vulnerable groups will also be at the summit to discuss how Energy Smart can reach those in greatest need of help in reducing fuel bills.
Allan Asher, Chief Executive of Energywatch, said:
"Consumers have been hit hard this year by rocketing fuel bills but being energy smart can save money. The hike in energy bills is forcing vulnerable consumers into fuel debt and poverty this winter. Dumping expensive suppliers, being more energy efficient and changing payment method are all ways of saving lots of money."
Ofgem Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan said:
"At a time of rising energy prices it is important that all energy customers, and especially the vulnerable, are fully aware of the choices available to them to help reduce their fuel costs. Underpinning these choices is the need for consumers to have confidence in the energy companies they are dealing with. Ofgem has a key role to play here to ensure that companies play by the rules, and where they don't, we take action."
Despite recent increases announced by suppliers, domestic prices are in real terms still cheaper than in 1997 (electricity 14% cheaper, gas 1%) and cheaper than before privatisation.
Since 1997 the Government has shown that it is serious about putting an end to fuel poverty. More than 11 million older people last year benefited from a total of £1.9 billion in Winter Fuel Payments. More than £600 million has been invested through the Warm Front initiative improving central heating and insulation in more than 900,000 households, with a further £140 million over the next three years.
Notes to Editors:
1. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt and Energy Minister Mike O'Brien will launch Energy Smart at 11am at the Royal Horticultural Hall (Lecture Theatre), Greycoat Street, London SW1P 2QD.
2. Consumers wanting to switch energy suppliers can get advice from Energylinx on 0845 225 2840 or from www.energylinx.co.uk. Consumers wishing a free quote covering all potential energy suppliers for their home can get advice from Energylinx on 0845 225 2840 or from http://www.energylinx.co.uk. Energylinx offers its services free of charge and acts as a one stop shop for anyone wishing to transfer energy supplier
3. Low-income households may be able to get help with improvements to insulation and/or central heating from their energy supplier or through the Government's Warm Front initiative. Warm Front is administered by Powergen Warm Front Ltd in the Eastern, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber regions (contact 0800 952 1555 or http://www.powergenwarmfront.co.uk and EAGA Partnership Ltd in London, South East, South West, West Midlands, North West and North East regions (contact 0800 316 6011 or http://www.eaga.co.uk http://eaga.co.uk). Suppliers also offer Benefit Entitlement checks for Warm Front applicants not in receipt of qualifying benefits.
4. Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog. It provides free, impartial information and advice to energy consumers who are experiencing difficulty in resolving complaints directly with their energy supply companies.
5. Ofgem is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets, which supports the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, the regulator of the gas and electricity industries in Great Britain. Ofgem's aim is the bring choice and value to all gas and electricity customers by promoting competition and regulating monopolies. The Authority's powers are provided for under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000.
6. There are 26 million electricity accounts and 20 million gas accounts. Non-switchers are paying 22% more on their energy bills than those who have switched (NAO report June 2003). Fuel poverty is defined as needing to spend more than 10% of income on fuel to maintain an adequate standard of heating.
Posted by energylinx at 10:18 AM Technorati: Energy Prices
November 10, 2004
Countrywide Energy New Prices
Countrywide Energy, part of the largest farmer controlled farming and rural supply business in the UK, have today issued new gas and electricity prices that are effective immediately for any new clients.
This is the third increase from Countrywide Energy in gas prices during the year to 10th November, the last two increases being on the 1st September 2004 and the 1st May 2004.
Prior to this prices were amended on the 1st November 2003, when Countrywide Energy extended their potential gas customer base to include all areas of England and Wales.
Electricity prices have also been increased although this is the first increase since 16th December 2003.
Whilst price increases in such quick succession may appear daunting to consumer it is fair to say that Countrywide are like all energy companies in recent months in how they have been affected by the rising wholesale price of gas in the UK.
To find out whether Countrywide Energy can offer you a competitive price for your energy supplies we would recommend comparing their prices with the rest of the energy market by utilising the free comparison service at www.energylinx.co.uk.
Posted by energylinx at 03:20 PM Technorati: Energy Prices
November 02, 2004
Powergen increase prices
ENERGY giant Powergen today announced a further price increases of 8.9% for electricity and 9.6% for gas. These increases will take effect with all customers from the 29th November 2004.
The latest increase in gas bills is Powergen's third of the year and means prices have soared by 17.6%. It is also the second increase of electricity prices by the company with the last being January 2004 when customers saw a 6.9% increase in their electricity bills.
These changes do not affect customers on the Powergen Age Concern tariff or anyone who had transferred to a capped rate tariff prior to the 3rd of November, although it still worth checking on the Energylinx price comparison service to see whether or not you have the best supplier for your own circumstances.
Powergen blamed the latest hikes on the 'unparalleled rises in wholesale costs' which have hit all energy suppliers and led to a spate of similar moves.
At the same time, the company announced an £8m package of measures designed to help customers limit bills. This includes free cavity wall insulation for customers over 60 and those on income or disability benefits and free advice to ensure people are claiming Government benefits entitled to them.
Nick Horler, managing director of Powergen Retail, said: 'This price rise is not a step we've taken lightly. All suppliers are currently affected by rising wholesale costs and we've delayed this increase for our customers longer than most of our competitors.
We offer a range of value-adding products and services, and are committed to remaining highly competitive on price, with the average customer still being better off with Powergen than with British Gas.'
Last month, British Gas raised the price of gas by 12.4% for 12m customers, and 9.4% for 6m electricity customers, while EDF Energy raised the average cost of electricity and gas 3.8% and 3.5%, respectively. Scottish Power increased gas and electricity prices by 11.8% and 9%, respectively.
A new study published today by marketing firm JD Power and Associates found the average monthly gas bill, across all suppliers, has increased for the first time since the domestic market was opened to full competition to £29.78 - a rise of 9%. Spending on electricity has also risen for the first time since 2000 - up 7% to a monthly average of £31.58.
The study also looks at consumer satisfaction levels with gas and electricity suppliers. The analysis identifies a drop in both areas, with a drop of 32 points over the year on gas and a drop of 33 points over the year on electricity.
Posted by energylinx at 06:54 PM Technorati: Energy Prices
