People have the power! Big Six UK energy monopoly faces challenge

Reuters/Paul HackettThe UK energy market is facing a challenge from councils and social housing landlords seeking to undercut the monopoly of the six big suppliers amid growing frustration with energy price hikes nationwide.

Local authorities are pledging to slice around 100 pounds ($158) from the average energy bill - the average of which has risen to more than 1,000 pounds (nearly $1,600) per household.

“Social housing providers and local authorities across the country are looking at energy... and see real opportunities to do things differently,” Dawn Muspratt, the leader of the project, known as Our Power, told The Independent.

Our Power is a collective of eight Scottish housing associations and a renewable energy charity, and it is reportedly coming very close to signing a deal with Ofgem – the UK’s energy regulator – which would allow it to supply power to tens of thousands of households.

“For Our Power, this is all about impacting on fuel poverty, particularly for those most disadvantaged in the energy market,” Muspratt added.

Read more: http://rt.com/uk/203503-uk-energy-suppliers-challenge/