The £84 per year green tax hidden on energy bills that most consumers do not know they are paying

Families are paying £84 a year in 'hidden' green taxes to subsidise a shift to wind power and other environmental measures, a study has revealed.

The taxes, which are driven by EU legislation, are expected to climb to as much as £176 a year over the next decade. Most consumers are unaware the taxes are included in their energy bills.

The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target is the biggest element, responsible for an average of £45 of the £84 figure. It creates a fund that is used to subsidise home insulation schemes.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme is responsible for £24 of the figure. This is a penalty charge related to using coal, oil or gas.

The Renewables Obligation equates to £12 and subsidises the cost of building wind farms. The Community Energy Saving Programme generates an annual average fee of £3.

The figures were compiled by energy price comparison service uSwitch.com.

It said the annual stealth charge will rise to £156 over the next ten years and could even reach £176 because of Government plans to raise more money for green energy sources.