The ‘great lie’ of the energy debate

Consumers have been told a “great lie” about rising energy prices according to E.ON’s Director of Strategy and Regulation, Sara Vaughan (pictured centre). She told the audience at Energy Live […]

Consumers have been told a “great lie” about rising energy prices according to E.ON’s Director of Strategy and Regulation, Sara Vaughan (pictured centre).

She told the audience at Energy Live 2013: “We are pretending to consumers that we can do all this without the prices going up and if the prices do go up it’s somebody’s fault.”

She added: “It’s a blame game.”

The recent public debate over energy policy was criticised by the Chief Executive of UK Coal, Kevin McCullough (pictured right), who attacked the “endless political tinkering and populist statements”, adding: “This is a topic that is far too serious to take lightly.”

Commercial Director for Thames Water Piers Clark had a slightly different take: “It’s almost a myth when we talk about having had cheap power and it’s suddenly all going to get more expensive. We are just going to be capturing the true cost.”

He welcomed the public’s renewed interest in energy policy: “I think this is a terrific debate to have – I actually welcome what’s happening right now. I know it’s uncomfortable for everyone in the energy industry. It was always going to come.”

Mr Clark said the “hot air” of the recent debate would “have to pass”.

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