Not-for-profit energy provider, Our Power has launched a new “ethical tariff” in the fight against fuel poverty.
The Edinburgh-based firm, which was established in 2016, has introduced its first UK-wide tariff called +IMPACT. The new 100 per cent green tariff is about “putting power in the hands of the consumer”, the company said.
Our Power described its new tariff as “competitively priced”, which it claims could save customers who switch around £80 per year.
It is estimated more than four million households in the UK live in fuel poverty, with many regularly having to make the choice between eating a hot meal or heating their home.
Dawn Muspratt, founding chief executive at Our Power said the company aims to make “energy fairer and more accessible to all” by only having one price regardless of how people choose to pay.
She said: “Over the past two years we have presented a sustainable alternative to traditional energy providers in the Scottish market, offering fairer tariffs and helping people out of fuel poverty.
“We also look forward to extending Our Power membership to housing associations operating outside Scotland, giving the wider sector the opportunity to benefit from our services and drive further positive change.”
Our Power said studies have shown households suffering from fuel poverty are “often charged the highest rates” due to the restrictions they can face in accessing the lowest priced tariffs in the market.
Muspratt said the company hopes to “secure thousands of ethically-minded energy customers on the new tariff by the end of 2018.”
Our Power aims to reduce heat and fuel costs by passing “benefits from the energy sector” to communities. It is able to do this by not paying dividends to shareholders, finding the most efficient ways to operate, generating its own power and reinvesting any profits to benefit customers and their communities, the company said.
It works with 58 social housing providers, community organisations and local authorities as members, and provides heat and power to around 21,000 households.