Hidden energy bill

Western Mail     Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Hidden energy bill

S
IR – Jonathan T Clark’s letter (Dec 2) raised the matters of growing energy poverty and Ofgem’s proposed investigation of alleged profiteering by power companies.

He did not mention the already large and rapidly growing covert charge to all of our bills which is made at Government’s behest to cover various “carbon taxes” and the Renewables Obligation (RO) which makes uneconomic wind power a money-spinner for its owners.

Ofgem’s 2008 fact-sheet “Household Energy Bills Explained” shows charges for “tackling Climate Change” added to an average energy bill and totalling about £80 per year. This leaflet is now out of date and the hidden charges which are not separately shown on the bill will now total nearer £100.

DR JOHN ETHERINGTON