Action needed now over increase in gas and electricity prices

Plaid Cymru have called for the establishment of a new national energy firm ‘Energy Wales’ in order to decrease gas and electricity prices for local residents and tackle the problem of rising energy costs once and for all.

‘Energy Wales’ would be a not for profit company which would buy gas and electricity at wholesale prices and then sell directly onto consumers and businesses.

Plaid Llanelli Press Officer Sean Rees said:

“As the big six energy companies continue to increase their gas and electricity prices this winter, many residents and their families are continuing to struggle to make ends meet.

We need a long-term sustainable solution to what is fast becoming a growing problem of fuel poverty in our communities. There is no doubt that in energy, the market has failed and therefore now is the time for the public to take back the market. Action is needed now, for instance is it really fair that people in Wales have to pay more for their energy than elsewhere in the U.K?”

Plaid Cymru Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, a member of the Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty added:

“The people of Llanelli are finding it more difficult than ever to pay for their heating bills, yet energy companies are reporting enormous profits. We cannot protect Welsh consumers from price rises without obtaining further energy powers and the ability to regulate the energy market in Wales. A not for profit company like Dwr Cymru – Welsh Water could be the way forward.”

“The only way we can protect Welsh customers is to have the powers here over energy. We also want the Welsh Government to use the powers it already has to help more people. We are calling on the Welsh Government to extend the Arbed scheme introduced when Plaid Cymru was in government. By expanding the scheme we could help more families bring down their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient – this could have a huge effect on their bills. Heating bills are one of the biggest worries that Welsh families are facing this winter, and a Party of Wales Government after 2016 would do much more to help them.”