Shield poorer households from costs of clean energy plans, says Ofgem

Ofgem’s review will look into how the costs of upgrading the energy networks can be recovered through home energy bills in a way that is fairer. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Britain’s clean energy future risks creating “winners and losers” if lower-income households are not shielded from the costs added to energy bills to pay for it, the head of the energy regulator has said.

Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s chief executive, said a “systematic approach” to sharing the rising costs of the government’s green power ambitions was needed to avoid poorer households facing soaring monthly payments.