PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Energy Secretary Chris Huhne will announce a crackdown on the biggest energy companies and pledge to help customers save cash.
In a keynote speech to Liberal Democrat activists, he will say ministers are poised to order energy suppliers to pay customers unlimited refunds to compensate for "bad behaviour".
He will also unveil tough new powers for energy watchdog Ofgem that will allow it to stop companies blocking reforms.
Mr Huhne, who was criticised for saying at the weekend that families "do not bother" to hunt for bargains on gas and electricity, will also announce changes that will make it easier for consumers to switch suppliers so they can lower their bills by up to £200 a year.
"We are determined to get tough with the big six energy companies to ensure that the consumer gets the best possible deal," he will say. "We want simpler tariffs. Requiring energy companies to tell you whether you could buy more cheaply on another tariff. And you could save real money.
"I want to help households save money, simpler charging, clearer bills, quicker switching and more consumer-friendly firms - co-ops, partnerships, consumer charities - dedicated to doing the shopping around for consumers to make sure that you are always on the best deal, even if you do not have time to check yourself.
"I believe Ofgem should have new powers to secure redress for consumers - money back for bad behaviour - and we will stop the energy companies from blocking action by Ofgem, which can delay matters by a year."
Mr Huhne will also tell the party's autumn conference that energy companies have agreed to add information on to bills this winter that will direct customers on how to switch to cheaper tariffs.
It comes ahead of plans to force them next year to set out exactly how much customers could save by switching to a different tariff offered by their own supplier.
He will say: "It is not fair that big energy companies can push their prices up for the vast majority of their consumers - who do not switch - while introducing cut-throat offers for new customers that stop small firms entering the market. That looks to me like predatory pricing. It must and will stop."