Reclaim the Power activists are currently on the roof of RWE Npower HQ in Swindon, to highlight Npower’s role in the fuel poverty crisis and their impact on fossil fuels for generations to come. At present (12 noon) two people are on the roof of the headquarters of RWE Npower and are hanging a banner.
Joline, a protester in Swindon said:
“I am doing this in solidarity with our friends in Germany, occupying and defending the last precious corner of the 5,500 hectares of the Hanbacher forest from the open cast mine owned by NPower “
Earlier this morning ten people began a blockade of RWE Npower offices outside Leeds to protest their role in CO2 emissions, climate change and fuel poverty.
Carrying a banner reading “Fight the Npower”, the group locked themselves across the entrance to the offices. These offices are responsible for RWE Npower’s prepayment meters and debt collection. RWE Npower were targeted for their role in escalating fuel poverty, while receiving massive government subsidies.
RWE NPower are one of the ‘Big Six’ energy companies who control the UK’s energy supply. They are one of Europes biggest fossil fuel polluters, owning a huge open cast coal mine in Germany. They also lobby the UK government to extend the life of of dirty power stations and yet they’ve been chosen to help represent the uk government in EU decision making on reducing carbon emissions. In the last three years they made nearly 800 million pounds in profit whilst paying no corporation tax. Last year, 10,000 people died from fuel poverty.
Maisie Bell, 28, Care assistant from Bradford and one of the protesters, said:
“RWE npower are the biggest CO2 emitter in Europe. They are committing us to untold damage from climate change, while taking none of the responsibility. We’re here today to highlight the hypocrisy of big energy companies profiting from a continued investment in destructive fossil fuels.”
Keith, one of the protesters from Hebden Bridge, said:
“We’re here today to highlight the hypocrisy of big energy companies profiting from a continued investment in destructive fossil fuels. RWE npower pay no corporation tax, while forcing the most vulnerable people deeper into fuel poverty through the use of prepayment meters, standing charges and debt collection.”
This is part of a mass day of action with other actions including a blockade of the Institute of Directors, a blockade of company Invesco, occupations of PR company Mediazoo who represent fracking giant INEOS, a blockade of Energy UK and a demonstration outside the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
ENDS
1 http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/21/big-six-energy-firms-british-gas-npower-protesters
2 http://hambachforest.blogsport.de/information-about-the-forest/
3 http://www.nodashforgas.org.uk/