Ms. Lyons said competition would give people the opportunity not only to save on their power bills, but to make other choices as well.

In some projects that emphasize energy efficiency, lower power bills help to offset added costs.

Another reason, he said, is a concern among some residents that metering will ultimately increase their power bills.

According to energy retailer Synergy the carbon price will result in a 9.1% rise to power bills.

High demand in an unusually warm summer was partly to blame for big power bills, analysts said.

As soon as the community had power lines, they received power bills.

They are especially reluctant to pay green taxes and higher power bills "to combat climate change".

Profits from the store and ticket sales to amusements help pay power bills.

But funding problems, and the non-payment of power bills, have taken some regional radios off the air.

Consumers and businesses are already facing much higher prices this year because companies have put up power bills by 7pc to 16pc.