Scottish & Southern Energy introduce new tariff

As the weather gets colder and people start to turn up their heating, energy companies are stepping up the fight to win new customers.

Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is the latest supplier to introduce a new product, its 100 percent green electricity ‘Better Plan’ tariff.

Karen Darby, founder of the price comparison service, SimplySwitch.com, comments: “This time of year is very important for energy suppliers because, as customers’ minds turn to the cost of heating, many people shop around for a better deal. Because of this, British Gas, Scottish Power and Powergen have all introduced competitive new tariffs during the last couple of months. SSE today became the latest supplier to unveil a new deal. However, unlike the other new offerings, SSE’s latest product ‘Better Plan’, doesn’t aim to compete in terms of price.

“While customers on Better Plan can still save money on their existing energy bills*, the tariff’s main selling point is its green credentials. Through Better Plan, SSE promises to match each customer’s electricity consumption with power from its hydro-electric plant… great news for those concerned about the environment.

“However, research by SimplySwitch.com shows that widespread ‘green attitudes’ aren’t yet translating into action when it comes to choosing energy providers. While over two thirds of Britons claim that being 'green' is important, only 16% would even consider switching to a green energy tariff. Price remains the biggest motivator for switching energy suppliers, with ‘customer service’ in second place.

“Fortunately, SSE’s levels of complaints are amongst the lowest in the industry and the supplier already offers a highly competitive fixed price tariff, ‘Price Fix 2008’. With analysts forecasting energy price hikes by January 08, we are expecting capped deals to prove increasingly popular over the coming months.”