Fairerpower, the value energy services supplier launched by Cheshire East Council, will begin signing up customers this month.
From Monday 16th March people can switch to the new service, which will drive gas and electricity prices down and offer a competitive, local alternative to the Big Six.
Cheshire East and its partner OVO Energy are committed to providing great value.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, will be the first to sign up.
Councillor Jones said: "I want to eliminate fuel poverty in Cheshire East and Fairerpower will help us to do this.
"That's why we have become the first local authority to supply energy direct to the public since gas and electricity were nationalised in 1948.
"Our offer will be available to all sections of the community and can save most people a lot of money.
"Never again will people in Cheshire East have to choose between eating or heating during the winter. And Fairerpower's offer is so good, it may soon be available to people living outside the borough."
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, whose Tatton constituency lies mostly within Cheshire East, said: "I welcome the partnership between Cheshire East Council and OVO. More choice for local people means competitive prices. I would strongly encourage my constituents to see how much they can save by switching their energy supplier."
Customers who pay by monthly direct debit can switch from March 16th. Pre-payment, also known as pay-as-you-go, customers will be able to sign up soon after and an offer for businesses is due to launch in the summer.
Those who have already expressed an interest in Fairerpower will receive an email shortly with details of how they can switch.
OVO Energy is the first ever energy supplier to be given Which? Recommended Provider status and the independent supplier also came top in 10 out of 12 categories in the uSwitch Energy Awards 2014, including Supplier of the Year.
To register your interest in switching to the Fairerpower tariff prior to launch on 16th March, visit www.fairerpower.co.uk.
Photo: Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones (right) and Craig Morley, managing director of OVO Communities.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
If not OVO is the supplier and CEC is a marketing front for OVO Energy to tout business for them.
Either way is this the role of the local authority?
@Terry Roves- remember this "pledge"- lowest tariff for everyone (would that not have meant that there would then only be one tariff from every supplier)?
http://bit.ly/1MvbxwF
http://bit.ly/1BxSIau
I am looking forward to learning more about "Fairerpower". What is it's role and business objectives, Who owns it? How is it funded?.
Will CEC be branching out into other areas where the unwary loyal customer is exploited and overcharged eg. , House Insurance, Car Insurance, Domestic Oil and LPG supplies to the rural off-mains households?.
14. Using personal information
14.1. We both agree that we can use your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which you can find here http://www.ovoenergy.com/privacy-policy/
14.2 We may share your personal data with Cheshire East Council so that Cheshire East Council can inform you of community based services that may be of interest to you which might include debt advisory services or local community initiatives. If you don’t want us to share your data, please let us know [insert details]. You can see what we may use your data for by clicking on this link [add link to table of processing purposes (i.e. table in Schedule 9)]
Money saving expert website is offering a group purchase discount across the UK.
Group discount offers are not promoted afaik, on price comparison websites and some consumers may find more suitable tariffs elsewhere.
Buying a 'pig in a poke' springs to mind.
Before signing up to fairer power any customer should compare the tariffs and T&Cs, with their current supplier. (I could save ~£50 pa by switching to fairerpower).Tariff update
Fairerpower aim to offer a no-nonsense, competitive and customer-focused service to all their customers. It is their aim to obtain the most competitive, fair and sustainable energy prices, for both gas and electricity, so they can pass the benefit on to their customers. Fairerpower is owned by Cheshire East and will be managed and administered by Cheshire East Council with the help of their partner energy supplier, OVO.
Tariff Details
Gas
Electricity
Supplier
Fairerpower
Tariff name
Fixed for 12 months
Tariff type
Fixed
Payment method
Monthly Direct Debit
Unit rate
3.213p per kWh 12.852p per kWh
Standing charge
13.65p per day (£49.82 per year) 13.65p per day (£49.82 per year)
Tariff ends on
12 months after start of supply
Price guaranteed until
12 months after start of supply
Exit fees (if you cancel this tariff before the end date)
n/a n/a
Discounts and additional charges
Additional products or services included
n/a
Estimated use for you on this tariff
Gas
Electricity
Your annual consumption
700 kWh 1,800 kWh
Estimated annual cost
£72.31 £281.16
Estimated monthly cost
£6.03 £23.43
Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR)
(based on average UK consumption)
3.58p per kWh 14.41p per kWh
Your Personal Comparison Rate
(based on your annual consumption)
10.33p per kWh 15.62p per kWh
Estimated costs include all added charges and discounts. All prices shown are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
Frequently asked questions
What is a kWh (kilowatt-hour)?
A kWh stands for kilowatt-hour - the unit to measure energy use. 1kWh will give you up to 40 minutes of kettle usage.
What is the tariff Comparison Rate (TCR)?
You can use your TCR (Tariff Comparison Rate) as a guide to help you compare your tariff with others from other suppliers. It's based on how you pay, your standing charge and unit rate, it includes your discounts and VAT at 5%. It's a guide only as it is based on Ofgem average use figures: gas 13,500kWh/year and electricity 3,200kWh/year. Your actual charges will depend on the energy you use.
Additional Information
Region
NORWEB
Tariff information
Fairerpower's Fixed for 12 months tariff prices are fixed for 12 months beginning on the day Fairerpower starts supplying your energy, and customers on this tariff will pay by Direct Debit in advance each month. The estimated savings figure on the results table assumes tariff rates and discounts remain the same for a year. However, after the contract period Fairerpower will either transfer you to the closest equivalent offer available or their Standard tariff, either of which may be more expensive than Fixed for 12 months.
Special offers
n/a
Other information associated with tariff
Fairerpower do not currently offer the Warm Home Discount.