Power up

Abstract

In addition to providing environmental benefits, renewables are supposed to help cut utility bills, because they generate electricity much more cheaply than gas power stations, Britain’s main source since the 1990s. According to the International Energy Agency, which tracks end-user tariffs, in the rich world British industry pays the most for its electricity, often by an astonishing margin. British steelmakers pay £37m ($48m) more for electricity each year than they would if they faced the same prices as their German competitors, according to British Steel, a leading producer.