Drax and InterGen deprived energy customers of savings

Citizens Advice has today called the fines of £28million to Drax and £11 million for InterGen as ‘just’ and a reflection on the savings households have missed out on.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“These firms have deprived poor households of savings on their energy bills.  Many thousands of customers were not given the chance cut their energy bills.  Instead the companies obtained an advantage for themselves.  Firms must not benefit financially from failure to meet their responsibilities and Ofgem is right to hand out serious penalties.

“Energy bills are up at third since 2010.  Households that are struggling to heat and light their home have lost out on the chance to make long-term savings to their bills.  The severe penalties issued today are absolutely just and the scale reflects the value of energy efficiency measures that households have missed out on.

“It is now time to think about whether the current model is the best way to deliver energy efficiency.  A localised approach could perhaps be more effective.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.