Council to expand pioneering Fairerpower energy scheme – to help tackle fuel poverty and cut people’s bills

A partnership set up by Cheshire East Council which helped save local residents more than £2m from their energy bills is to be rolled out to the wider region and businesses.

Fairerpower, a partnership between the council and award-winning Ovo Energy, was launched in March 2015 and more than 7,500 customers have so far signed up to buy their gas and electricity via the scheme.

Cheshire East residents have saved an average of £224⁽¹⁾* on their annual fixed-tariff bills, in the past year, after switching.

Fairerpower was formed in the belief that people were spending too much on their energy bills by not switching providers from the ‘big six’ for years. The not-for-profit organisation offers a competitive energy plan that gives more back to the people of Cheshire. 

Now, following a decision today by cabinet, Fairerpower is to be run by the council’s arm’s-length Skills and Growth Company under a new contract.

This will enable Fairerpower to be offered to the wider Midlands and North West region and, in the future, to businesses and social housing providers. It will also be able to develop new partnerships with several energy suppliers and other local authorities to help tackle fuel poverty.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Today’s decision gives the ‘best fit’ to enable the council to sustainably deliver a cheaper fuel alternative to many more households, businesses and social housing providers – leaving more money in residents’ own pockets and helping tackle fuel poverty across the whole region and not just in Cheshire.”

“This was our promise when we started and Fairerpower tariffs have consistently been below the average of the ‘big six’ suppliers and its pre-payment tariffs among the lowest.

The Fairerpower brand may also now be expanded to include non-energy products or services.

Cllr Stockton added: “The Skills and Growth Company has the experience, skills, drive and determination to develop and expand the scheme for the benefit of the people of the wider region.”

Cheshire East Council became the first local authority in the UK to sell power since the gas and electricity supply system was nationalised in 1948.

Since December 2015, Fairerpower has been extended to allow residents living in Cheshire West and Chester to become its customers too.

For more information or to join the scheme, call 0800 4086701 or visit www.fairerpower.co.uk