Regulation and energy prices

Sir, – The Commission for Energy Regulation's letter of February 9th gives us a good overview of its function in relation to consumer protection.

However, one fundamental area which has created a lot of confusion in the minds of energy users is the actual price of electricity and gas charged by the various suppliers.

In the Commission for Energy Regulation’s advertising, we are given just percentage rate reductions of say 10-20 per cent on their “standard” price but we are not shown the actual price.

Suppliers should be obliged to give us the price per unit and the standing charge for electricity and gas in all their advertisements.

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We then could much more easily compare our current price with theirs without having to go through further hoops to get it.

Energy costs are such a heavy burden for all consumers that openness and clarity are essential to get the best value possible. – Yours, etc,

JOAN MORRISON,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.