Council signs off on energy co-operative pledge for residents

Plymouth City Council officers and councillors have signed off their pledge to create an energy co-operative for their residents.

Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council and Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development promised residents last May that they would create a co-operative to negotiate better gas and electricity process for domestic users.

This promise has not only seen the co-operative, Plymouth Energy Community, coming alive but will also see the first community collective switch taking place this October.

People living or working in Plymouth have been able to register their interest in saving money on their energy bills since July when the energy switching scheme was launched.

By joining the energy co-operative negotiate direct with energy suppliers to secure cheaper tariffs on behalf of their members. Based on their individual energy consumption, each member will receive a personal offer which they can then decide whether to accept or not.

Councillor Chris Penberthy said: “Delivering on this promise is so much more than just a tick in a box. We have created a new co-operative which will be run by local people, for the benefit of local people. This is the first time that residents using pre-paid meters will be able to take advantage of this kind of scheme.”

Leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans added: “As a co-operative council we aim to promote a fairer, more equal city by providing more opportunities to enable communities to take control of their lives. The energy community helps them do just that.”

Residents can get more information and register their interest by visiting www.plymouthenergycommunity.org.uk or by calling 01752 477 067.