Rebecca Harris, Member of Parliament for Castle Point, has welcomed the news that Councillor David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, will this week launch the Essex Energy Switch. This is a county wide collective energy switching campaign designed to help Essex residents cut their gas and electricity bills.
Following the huge success of the first Essex Energy Switch earlier this year, the free, easy, safe and secure way for Essex residents to cut their fuel bills will be launched on Wednesday 3rd December at High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford.
By joining forces with thousands of fellow Essex residents and registering an interest in changing energy supplier at www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch participants will be entered into a collective auction. The auction works by getting energy companies to bid against each other to offer the lowest rate for gas and electricity contracts.
The more people who register, the better the price offered is likely to be, although usage and the amount residents already pay will also play a part in the calculation.
Earlier this year when the first Essex Energy Switch took place, more than 4,500 residents registered and those who switched energy provider made an average saving of over £200.
Rebecca said:
“Any help in keeping energy prices down, particularly over winter, is good news. The Essex Energy Switch is a free, easy and secure way for the people of Castle Point to cut their energy bills.
“Last year saw a significant number of people sign up to the scheme. I hope that this year even more people to sign up to save. It’s a simple message: don’t delay, register today.”
The initiative has also gained the support of various community and residents groups across the county including Age UK Essex, Citizens Advice and the Rural Communities Council of Essex (RCCE). All of these organisations are encouraging Essex residents to visit www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch
Michelle Martin, Community Engagement Manager for Age UK Essex said:
“Age UK Essex supports any initiatives that help struggling people, especially older people, save money on their gas and electricity bills so we were very keen to lend our support to the Essex Energy Switch campaign.
“We will do what we can to promote awareness of the Energy Switch in the community and hope that as many older people as possible benefit.”
Elaine Maguire, Operations Manager, Chelmsford CAB said:
“Given the Essex Energy Switch has already saved Essex residents hundreds of pounds on their energy bills in the past, the return of this campaign for the next two months is most welcome because it should see even more households across the county benefit.”
Councillor Finch launches the Essex Energy Switch at High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford at 12.25pm.
Essex County Council staff will be present in the shopping centre from 10am until 3pm to help raise public awareness of the initiative. Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch for more information and to register for the initiative.