First Utility eyes lower bills with Shell energy deal Small energy suppliers have long complained they can be at a disadvantage when trying to secure their customers" gas and electricity needs, compared with the Big Six supplies which have their own power generation and energy trading arms. The UK energy supply market is dominated by the so-called Big Six - Centrica (trading as British Gas), npower, SSE, Scottish Power, E.ON and EDF. Unlike smaller independent providers, they all also have their own power stations producing energy. Regulators see opening up the market to allow smaller players better access to wholesale energy as key to improving competition. First Utility has doubled its customer number so far this year as customers switch away from the Big Six but said the new Shell deal would enable it to "accelerate growth, support the development of new, competitive, and attractive product offerings for customers." Ian McCaig, chief executive of First Utility, said: "This is a significant milestone in First Utility's journey. Our agreement with Shell provides us with the ideal strategic partner to support our growth and underpin our proposition to offer customers competitive rates in the market. Shell's experience with independent providers in North America and Europe demonstrates the exciting potential that this deal brings. First Utility has already promised not to increase its prices over the winter. British Gas customers have been told they face a 9.2pc rise in tariff, with SSE rates going up 8.2pc, npower 10.4pc, and Scottish Power 8.6pc. However, they have said they will pass on savings from a shake-up on green levies by the Government that it is estimated could shave £50 off bills. Last week, E.ON announced because of the changes, its rise was lower than it otherwise have been, at 3.7pc. EDF had previously announced a 3.9pc rise, saying it was holding back the full impact of increasing costs in anticipation of the Government's changes. Edited by Martin Strydom for telegraph.co.uk