Reading Borough Council is in talks about establishing itself as a local energy supplier to help tackle fuel poverty. At a policy committee meeting earlier this week, lead councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport Tony Page was asked whether the council is considering joining other local authorities in a bid to democratise energy supply and reduce bills. Page said: “Reading has been in conversation with a number of other southern local authorities to consider the possibility of working together to establish a joint arrangement to supply energy locally. “A number of local authorities in the UK have taken forward initiatives to supply energy to their residents.” Page added that to become fully licensed to sell power without working with an energy company would be a difficult and expensive process. Nottingham City Council successfully set up Robin Hood Energy last year with a full supply license, but is the only local authority to do this to date. Reading Borough Council was one of the founding councils of APSE Energy, a collaboration of local authorities that seeks to bring about the municipalisation of energy and through this has discussed the possibility of a support relationship with Robin Hood Energy.
Utility Week 15th June 2016 read more »