After reading about Centrica (the parent company of ye olde British Gas) reporting profits of £1.3 billion while at the same time raising retail energy prices by 18%, I got to wondering – is there another way?

As the power generators offer wholesale prices to larger customers (including the utility companies themselves), would it be possible to start a new not-for-profit energy provider which would benefit from the cheaper wholesale rates and pass these prices on directly to its members? It would be like an energy co-operative scheme if you like.

I’m thinking of doing some further research into this concept. Before I waste time on this, does anyone have any good reasons why this wouldn’t work?