Chris Huhne, the Energy Secretary, will outline government plans today to encourage energy companies to develop low-carbon power plants, including nuclear power stations and wind farms.
Energy analysts say the Coalition's plans will put Britain on course for a "high cost, low carbon" electricity market where consumers pay the price for environmentally friendly generating technology.
Energy companies say that the shift will require them to invest more than £200 billion in new power stations and networks over the next 20 years.
According to uSwitch, the price comparison website, funding that investment will cost households more than £500 a year on top of the current total average energy bill of £1,157. Mr Huhne's officials dispute that figure and insist that the direct costs of specific government policies will be much lower.
A new consultation will push energy companies into investing billions of pounds in technology, costs that companies say will be passed on to consumers.
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