MPs condemn mis-selling and say suppliers are guilty of ‘Del Boy’ sales tricks The Energy And Climate Change Committee (ECCC) has called for a ban on the doorstep mis-selling of energy contracts. The Committee voiced concerns that people are being pressured by salesmen into deals that are no better, or often worse than their current one.
Scottish and Southern raises prices
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is the latest of the big six UK suppliers to raise prices. SSE follow Scottish Power and Centrica who have both already announced similar price rises that come into effect in the autumn. SSE’s rises are expected to be around 18% for gas and 11% for electricity, but will not come into effect until September.
Huhne outlines electricity market reform
UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne unveiled proposals set to bring about the biggest reforms since privatisation. The UK government announced on Tuesday that the UK’s energy infrastructure will need £110bn of investment to keep the lights on. Chris Huhne told parliament that without reform and substantial financial investment, the country will be facing blackouts.
British Gas prices raised
British Gas are the first of the big six suppliers to follow Scottish Power in raising their domestic prices. British Gas announced on Friday it is to raise its domestic gas and electricity prices from 18 August. Gas bills will have an average rise of 18% whilst electricity will rise by around 16%. The Centrica-owned company has, somewhat predictably blamed … Read More
Ofgem investigate wholesale energy prices
Energy industry regulator Ofgem is to launch an investigation into how much suppliers are paying for wholesale energy. Ofgem discovered a 27% difference in how much suppliers were paying for electricity and 15% for gas last year. Wholesale prices are the reason quoted for the majority of supplier price rises. Two weeks ago Scottish Power upped prices by up to … Read More
RWE looking at sale of Npower
German utility giant RWE is reportedly assessing the sale of British energy firm Npower RWE, parent company of Npower, is assessing the sale of the UK company in a rethink of strategy. This comes after German parliament last week backed a withdrawal from nuclear power by 2022, following Japan’s nuclear crisis.
UK’s biggest solar farm up and running
The largest solar farm in the country is now in use after being connected to the national grid. The solar farm at Howbery business park in Oxfordshire caters for a quarter of the park’s energy requirements, generating 682MWh a year. There are 3000 solar panels in the array, which are expected to save 350 tonnes of CO2 at the Wallingford … Read More
Ofgem continue overhaul of energy market
Ofgem is to press on with its overhaul of retail gas and electricity markets, and announces investigation into Scottish Power promotion The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is to launch an inquiry into a “potentially misleading” offer that was promoted at the same time as the latest price increase announcements. The industry regulator has stated it is determined … Read More
Energy secretary encourages switching supplier
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has reminded consumers that they can switch supplier if they are unhappy with price increases 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%
ScottishPower announce large price rises
ScottishPower have stirred up the domestic energy market by announcing large price rises The company have announced price rises as high as 19% for gas tariffs, and 10% rises for electricity. These new prices will come into effect on 1 August.