Plaid Cymru yesterday demanded greater regulation of the energy market and tighter measures to counter energy prices at local and international levels.

In his maiden speech to the House of Commons today, Plaid Cymru’s newly elected MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Jonathan Edwards said: “International oil prices need to be stabilised to avoid price fluctuations. This could mean a long term agreement between oil producer and consumer countries as advocated by the French government; and arguably the use of a more stable trading currency.

“The Welsh government needs to make sure that Wales gets its fair share of the UK government’s energy efficiency schemes, and secondly creates a package of support and advice for people living in fuel poverty.

“It also needs to promote off grid decentralised local energy systems backed up with smart metering so that communities can develop their own solutions to the twin challenges of global warming and energy poverty.

“I would also like to see a statutory duty on Welsh Local Authorities which could include the retro fitting of vulnerable homes with the latest air to heat technology.”