Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has reminded consumers that they can switch supplier if they are unhappy with price increases

Huhne commented that wind farms would protect consumers from wholesale price fluctuations

Huhne has urged consumers to shop around if they are hit by substantial gas and electricity price increases.

The Energy Secretary made the comments to the Observer newspaper following the announcement of ScottishPower’s price increases of up to 19%

“Consumers don’t have to take price increases lying down,” he told the Observer. “If an energy company hits you with a price increase, you can hit them back where it hurts – by shopping around and voting with your feet.”

While this advice is sound, there are claims that the comments are devalued by the industry expectation that most, if not all of the major UK suppliers are to follow ScottishPower in dramatic price increases.

Huhne also spoke about the benefit of renewable energy generation – such as wind farms – and how they are invulnerable to global price shocks in the same way as coal or gas.

While this is true, there is a considerable cost to building and operating wind turbines – which would have to be paid for by costly green subsidies.