Fuel is one of the most talked-about issues of the day – the cost, the sources, and its environmental impact.

An increasing number of people are living in ‘fuel poverty’, whereby more than ten per cent of their net income is spent on heating and hot water. In Bradford, the figure is estimated to be around 55,000 households.

A survey carried out locally this year by the Bradford and Baildon groups of Friends of the Earth found that more than a third of people felt that the price of energy and fuel was the most important energy issue facing the UK today.

More than 200 people in Bradford and 20,000 nationally have signed a petition organised by the environmental group as part of its Final Demand campaign, to end the dominance of the energy market by the so-called Big Six – E.ON, EDF, Scottish Power, Centrica (which owns British Gas), RWE npower and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

It is calling for an independent inquiry into their power over consumers and influence over politicians.

“Six companies control 99 per cent of household energy,” says Bradford FoE chairman Jane Skudder. “They feel they are untouchable due to their size.”

According to energy watchdog Ofgem, which is investigating the Big Six prices and profits, these companies have a stranglehold over the market. Last year Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: “Our energy market has been too cosy for too long. We need more competition to to keep bills down – it is madness that 99 per cent of people get their energy from the Big Six.”

Almost a third of those questioned in the local FoE survey believe that the impact of our energy system on climate change is the most vital issue facing the country. Other major concerns voiced by people in the district were our dependence on oil and gas,the availability and supply of oil and gas and the safety of nuclear power plants.

The FoE believe switching not to another supplier – as consumers are invited to do when they complain – but to alternative energy, is the way forward, and that new-build homes, including social housing, should make use of solar and wind power.

“Many low-income families are known to be in fuel poverty. This would bring cheaper bills – there are all sorts of gains,” says Jane.

An increasing number of people are investigating other options, with many turning to alternative energy such as solar power which, as well as the environmental benefits, is known to pay off financially in the long-term.

The FoE survey found that 63 per cent of people would like to see future investment in power from the sun, waves or wind.

More than 80,000 homes nationally now use their own solar power, and a growing number of people in the Bradford district are investing in alternative supplies. In Baildon alone, for example, solar power is taking off, with 29 homes having photovoltaic roof tiles, most fitted during the past year. “We had a campaign to have 11 roofs fitted by 2011 – now we have 18 more,” says John Anderson, secretary of Baildon FoE.

No figures are available for Bradford, but, says John, “it is looking good”, with reports of busy order books from companies carrying out work.

The Final Demand campaign also asks the Government not to axe support for energy produced by communities, local councils, businesses and households.

In December the FoE and two solar energy companies won the go-ahead to seek a ruling that Government plans to cut financial incentives for solar electricity were unlawful. The Government announced the reduction to feed-in tariffs – payments made to households that generate electricity through solar panels – before a consultation on the issue was due to end. The ruling could pave the way to a judicial review.

“The tariff ensured that the market for solar panels took off,” says Rob Glover, treasurer of FoE Bradford, “The drop could see a fall in the number of installations.”

He adds: “We are not saying that the tariff should be at this level forever, but the cut is too harsh.”

Renewable energy supports more than 22,000 jobs in the UK, predominantly connected with solar power. Around 4,000 of those are new ventures.

John Anderson, who generates 70 per cent of electricity at his Baildon home from his PV-tiled roof, says: “We are calling for an urgent, independent inquiry into the power and influence of the Big Six.

“The price of energy will rise due to the fuel shortages – the sooner people switch to renewables the better.”