Call over green impact upon bills

15/12/11

By Shane Gladstone

Government climate advisers have quelled fears over the impact of green technology investment on household energy bills over the coming 10 years.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) questioned claims that consumers would be left with dramatic rises if cash is pumped into wind farms and other low-carbon technologies.

The committee said that such policies would see the average dual-fuel bill rise by £110 by 2020, however, it added that more uptake of green energy schemes in the home could further slash that rise.

It said that wholesale gas prices had had the biggest impact upon the cost of domestic energy over the past six years.

The committee advises ministers on how to offset the effects of climate change on the wider society.

CCC forecasts predicted that if green energy schemes are only marginally successful the rise for a dual fuel bill could be higher, going from last year's £1,060 to £1,250 nine years from now.

However, it predicted that low-carbon policies would see the average bill rise by £110 over the period.