Collaboration to tackle fuel poverty in Leicestershire

Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council have set up a new energy company to promote the use of green energy and lower the price of gas and electricity in the region.

Fosse Energy aims to tackle fuel poverty by offering competitively priced energy to domestic customers and by encouraging people to switch from other suppliers’ inflated tariffs, and is available to anyone living in the city, the county and the wider East Midlands who wants to buy green energy from a not-for-profit organisation.

The two councils have appointed Robin Hood Energy, wholly-owned by Nottingham City Council, as Fosse Energy’s gas and electricity supply partner, which will provide both the infrastructure and the full range of customer services to Fosse Energy.

Adam Clarke, deputy mayor at Leicester City Council, said: “We’re committed to tackling fuel poverty in the city and helping those least able to pay their energy bills. We know that around 10% of households experience fuel poverty, and we know that many people pay over the odds for their energy – especially those on pre-payment meters.

“What Fosse Energy will do is to give people the option of buying their gas and electricity from a publicly-owned company that has no shareholders to please – which means its tariffs will always be among the cheapest on the market and will offer a very competitive alternative to the big six energy companies. By teaming up with an established energy supplier, we will be able to provide a tried and tested service that’s backed up by a dedicated customer service team – so anyone thinking of switching will be able to do so with confidence.”

Byron Rhodes, deputy leader at Leicestershire County Council, added: “One of our top priorities is to improve the quality of life for people living in Leicester and Leicestershire. Fosse Energy will contribute to that by offering low-cost tariffs. We want to ensure people in our communities can easily heat their homes using a sustainable source that’s affordable. That’s why we’ve ensured Fosse Energy offers renewable electricity across the board. We are very excited to be launching Fosse Energy which we hope will make a big cost saving to households.”