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Survey shows consumers uninterested in energy trilemma

Consumers are largely uninterested in the energy trilemma of energy prices, low carbon and security of supply, with 65 per cent only interested in lower energy bills, a survey carried out by YouGov and commissioned by Npower has shown.

One of the main misconceptions about energy in the UK was that energy bill increases were mainly driven by energy supplier profits rather than the need to meet the UK’s low carbon and energy security challenge, Npower said.

The percentage of consumers who are aware of the £200 million investment needed was shown to be just 2 per cent by YouGov’s survey.

Ofgem and switching sites were shown by the survey to be the most trusted sources of un-biased energy information for consumers with 48 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

Comparatively energy companies only received 11 per cent of the vote. Governments and politicians are only slightly more trusted with 13 per cent.

Npower said it expects the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the energy sector to help increase transparency but said that a new approach to raise the level of public understanding was needed.

RWE Npower CEO, Paul Massara said: “As governments across Europe face the energy trilemma of affordability, security of supply and CO reduction, it is important that they bring the public along with them and this survey shows the need for greater transparency and communication with the British public.”

“While industry admits we must do more to improve consumer trust through better customer services there is an urgent need for a clarion voice to create clarity for consumers and investors alike.