Memorandum submitted by Dr Gail Bradbrook
I would like to raise the issue of the increased
prices for "green energy consumers"— I get my
electricity from Good Energy company and previously from Ecotricity.
I have been prepared to pay higher prices to support a growing
renewables market. However we have recently been subject to higher
prices with the reason given being "increased wholesale prices.
I quizzed Good Energy a few times and read their
FAQs before being confident this wasn't profiteering on their
point—however the first point I would like to make is that
it does lead to mistrust of the green companies and could be a
reason why people leave or don't join.
I now believe that the major energy suppliers
are not really making a distinction between the renewables and
fossil fuels and this leads me to conclude that:
— the renewables market is not a "real"
market;
— that people already paying higher
prices for fossil fuels are subject to further increases at the
whim of the fossil fuel suppliers;
— that the opportunities for growth
and disctinction for the renewables market are being lost; and
— that these are extremely significant
points in the face of climate change.
I don't have the ability to investigate and
prove the above, and also believe that is a role for Ofgem.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
ABOUT YOU
I am a consumer and have no other affiliations
that are signifcant here.
FACTUAL INFORMATION
YOU WOULD
LIKE THE
COMMITTEE TO
BE AWARE
OF
As above and as stated believes rather than
concrete knowledge.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT YOU
WOULD LIKE
THE COMMITTEE
TO CONSIDER
INCLUDING IN
ITS REPORT
Actions are taken to ensure the renewables energy
market is vibrant and protected from fossil fuel increases investigation
and consultation into the pricing of renewables, particularly
ensuring that smaller, green energy companies cannot be bullied
by bigger suppliers or that renewable products owned by larger
suppliers are genuinely that and not a front end mostly for profiteering.
March 2008
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