Green activists take over Centrica HQ - 01/05/2012
A group of activists from Greenpeace have staged a protest at the headquarters of energy supplier Centrica against what it claims are "rip-off" gas and electricity bills.
Around 50 demonstrators blockaded the entrance to the building with a giant spoof energy bill to raise awareness of what it claims is an over-reliance on imported gas, which drives up domestic prices.
Greenpeace highlighted figures from Ofgem that revealed the UK saw average bills increase by £150 last year, of which £100 was due to the rising cost of wholesale gas, with just £25 coming from subsidies for green developments.
The environmental group said: "It is time to get off the gas price rollercoaster and start investing in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency to bring bills under control and tackle climate change."
Responding to the action, a statement from Centrica pointed out average dual fuel tariffs for British Gas customers actually fell by £39 in 2011 compared with the previous year.
It also claimed gas is a vital part of keeping bills affordable for the majority of customers and highlighted its plans to develop new wind farms off both the west and east coast of the UK.
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