RESIDENTS in Cheshire West can use people power to drive down their energy bills under a new council scheme.

Under Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new Collective Energy Scheme, bill payers will be able to bulk-buy their energy as a group - enabling them to negotiate with providers for cheaper energy bills.

The scheme has already proven effective elsewhere in the country – with people saving on their gas and electricity bills.

Known as collective switching, the scheme will make it easier for people to switch energy provider and participants can expect to see big savings of between £60 and £200 a year.

Executive member for prosperity, clr Herbert Manley, said: “Rising fuel bills and more and more people risking their health by living in cold, damp homes due to fuel poverty are major concerns of this authority.

“This scheme is set to be the biggest of its kind in the UK – with 12 councils involved in the project its means over 1.5 million households will be eligible to join the scheme and start saving money on their energy bills by combining their purchasing power.

“The more people that sign up, the bigger the potential savings so I would encourage all west Cheshire residents, regardless of the size of your property, to sign up today and help secure lower monthly bills.”

Register free at www.readytoswitch.co.uk before October 15, 2013.

The collective switching scheme will work by means of a reverse auction where energy suppliers will be invited to bid the lowest price to supply energy to all those signed up for the scheme.

Offers will then be sent out to participating residents who can then decide whether they want to opt in. There is no obligation to accept the offer.