Energy regulator needs to call stop to electricity  hike

Dublin South West TD   Seán Crowe , has called on the Energy Regulator to call a halt and stop the huge 10% ‘hike’ in electricity prices which An Bord Gáis plans to announce later this week.

Crowe said that the Regulator needs to ‘bin the  request’  from the same Company for an increase in  Gas Prices which he said would add “even more misery on thousands of families already suffering  fuel poverty.”

Deputy Crowe said:

” Bord Gáis says it needs to increase prices because of the Global Market. At the same time, the  same company  has made huge profits from loyal customers.

” Their proposals to increase  energy costs  will increase the pressure on many company’s, particularly those in manufacturing, struggling to make keep open and retain jobs in the current climate.This latest bombshell will push more and more people  into fuel poverty.It will inevitably  lead to an increase in the numbers of customers  in arrears and increase the number of ‘unfortunates’ in real danger of disconnection.

“The current crop of energy suppliers are on record as saying there is an  obvious connection between price increases and failure to pay bills.
  If people can’t pay this will  impact directly and negatively on An Bord Gáis.

 ” It makes no makes no sound economic or social sense  to impose  further increases especially at a time when many thousands of people are already in difficulties and suffering from fuel poverty.
   We know from anti poverty groups that currently many elderly are frightened to turn on the switch to light up their house or heat their homes

“The Regulator needs to do what is right for customers and  rescind the electricity increase and  reject outright the application for an increase in gas prices.

“It will be a difficult enough winter for most customers, with  tax hikes and increases  coming down the tracks to pay off European bankers and their speculator recipients.

“If  An Bord Gáis get their increases, tens of thousands more families will join the long line of those in debt, already struggling,”