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Higher bills for npower customers

07/09/2006

Customers of the energy provider npower are facing higher bills after the company announced its new retail prices.

From October 1st, gas bills will increase by an average of 17.2 per cent and electricity bills will go up by an average of 9.9 per cent.

The company said its third increase in two years was unavoidable because of the sharp rise in wholesale costs, which have reportedly gone up by 250 per cent since 2003.

Npower still claims to offer its customers better value than British Gas and is currently running an offer that would allow them to freeze their bills until 2008.

"We're protecting our customers from the full impact of the increases in wholesale energy costs," said Kevin Miles, managing director of npower residential.

"Despite today's announcement, we remain very competitive: our average dual fuel bills are still £91 cheaper per year than British Gas."

Wholesale energy prices have prompted a number of suppliers, including British Gas and Powergen, to increase their charges.

According to consumer watchdog Energywatch there have been more than 12 price rises by the six largest energy companies this year.

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