Consumers to foot bill as electricity suppliers cash in on green scheme

THE big electricity suppliers have been given the go-ahead by the Government to make unlimited profits from a green energy scheme which, while funded by the planned 5% hike in electricity prices, offers consumers no guarantee of future reduced bills.

Consumers will have to start paying the 5% Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy next month.

The levy is aimed at generating €30 million this year for the REFIT scheme so that the country’s wind farmers can be sure of a minimum price for the electricity they generate.