The economy, jobs and fair work committee is inviting the public and stakeholders to give their views on options for a Publicly-Owned Energy Company (POEC) and what role it could take.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged to set up a company to sell energy to households at “close to cost price” when she announced plans for the Scottish company at the SNP’s conference in October 2017.

The plans follow the launch of Our Power by social housing providers in 2016, a social enterprise providing fair, affordable, clean and secure energy for all customers.

Issues being considered include whether a POEC will reduce costs for consumers, how it can promote green issues and energy efficiency and how it can support local and community projects, while working to combat fuel poverty. A household is defined as being in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of household income to maintain an adequate heating regime.

Gordon Lindhurst MSP, convener of the economy, jobs and fair work committee, said: “We are examining the feasibility of a Publicly-Owned Energy Company in Scotland, and we want to hear your views on the matter. Some of the considerations include whether it can help tackle fuel poverty, and what role it would play in supporting new technology in sustainable energy and in contributing to community projects.

“There are a number of not-for-profit energy companies in existence in the UK and further afield, and we will be looking at how they operate and deliver on the core objective of providing competitively priced energy, and how this fits in with the needs of the country.”

Members of the public and stakeholders will have the chance to fill in a survey, with questions that will include:

The deadline for the call for views is September 13, and further details can be found here.