Wirral Council could become the latest local authority to launch its own energy company in a bid to tackle fuel poverty in the borough.
The council’s cabinet will meet next week (27 March) to instruct officers to start exploring the possibility of setting up such a company. According to the cabinet report, they will discuss three possible options.
The first is to establish a fully-licensed energy operator, similar to Nottingham City Council’s Robin Hood Energy.
The second would be to partner with an existing supplier in a “white label” agreement under the council’s own brand, while the third would see the local authority join forces with a supplier through a “license lite” agreement.
“Fuel poverty is a growing issue throughout the UK, with people finding it more and more difficult to properly heat their homes and afford the rising costs of gas and electricity,” said council leader, Phil Davies.
“We will do everything in our power to support our residents to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. These proposals would see the council create a new energy company which would, at no cost to the taxpayer, put us in a position to sell gas and electricity to residents at a much lower rate.”