ECOTRICITY has announced it will hire up to 50 new staff by the end of the financial year, giving a major boost to employment in the Five Valleys.

The green energy firm is currently recruiting 22 new customer service workers before Christmas and that number will grow to 50 new positions by the end of the finiancial year.

Despite the Government last week announcing a cut in subsidies to onshore wind farms, Ecotricity would appear to be optimistic about its future growth prospects as it is pushing ahead with the expansion of its local workforce.

The renewable energy firm, which now has almost 100,000 customers, says it is capitalising on disillusionment with the 'Big Six' power companies, many of which have recently hiked prices by around 10 per cent.

In contrast to their competitors, Ecotricity has promised a price freeze and the company now says it is attracting new customers at up to five times its previous rate.

The green energy provider said the new staff would ‘reinforce’ its Stroud-based customer services department.

It comes just two weeks after energy giant nPower revealed that it was cutting more than 1,400 UK jobs, with many customer service roles being outsourced to India.