Skip to main content
Blog Post 26 August 2022 Updated 8 October 2024

Energy price cap explained

Location notice

Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in England, Scotland, Wales.

Between 1 October and 31 December 2024, annual energy bills for a typical dual-fuel direct debit household in Great Britain are around £1,717.

This is around £149 a year more than the previous price cap. Read our response to the new price cap.

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap limits the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of gas or electricity you use.

The energy regulator for Great Britain, Ofgem, first introduced the price cap in 2019 because of concerns that customers were paying a ‘loyalty penalty’.

Many customers weren’t readily switching energy suppliers and some energy companies were pushing up their prices. The cap sets a limit to the unit rate of gas and electricity a supplier can charge to protect consumers against this loyalty penalty.

The price cap is reviewed every three months.

 

What are the current energy price cap rates?

Current price cap (July – September 2024)
Electricity – daily standing charge60.99p
Electricity – unit cost per kWh24.50p
Gas – daily standing charge31.66p
Gas – unit cost per kWh6.24p

Why are the rates for electricity so much higher than gas?

An increasing amount of our electricity comes from renewable sources like solar and wind. But the UK still relies on gas to meet demand when renewables aren’t generating enough energy.

Electricity demand tends to be high when the sun sets and renewable sources are less likely to be generating enough. This means we have to turn to gas to meet this demand, which is more expensive and drives up our bills.

How does the energy price cap work?

The energy price cap limits the amount that a supplier can charge for their default tariff. This includes:

  • The standing charge: a daily fixed amount you have to pay, no matter how much energy you use.
  • The price for each unit of electricity and gas you use, measured in pence per kilowatt hours, or p/kWh.  

A default energy tariff, according to Ofgem, is the most basic tariff an energy supplier offers. The most common type is a ‘standard variable’ tariff. This means the amount you pay is subject to price changes, although your supplier should write to you to confirm any changes with a notice period. A standard variable tariff can’t be higher than the price cap.  

To show what this might look like for an average household, Ofgem uses:

  • 12,000kWh for a household’s annual gas use
  • 2,900kWh for annual electricity use

This is just a guide. Your actual bills will vary depending on how much energy you use.

Whether you pay by direct debit and the type of energy meter you have can also impact how much you pay.

Who does the energy price cap apply to?

The price cap applies to you if you’re on a default energy tariff, regardless of how you pay your bills or if you’re on a prepayment meter. 

Energy suppliers have different names for their default tariffs. If you aren’t sure what tariff you’re on, your energy supplier will be able to tell you. 

The price cap doesn’t apply to you if:

  • You’re on a fixed-term energy tariff, ie a tariff with a fixed end date and agreed fixed per unit price. 
  • You’re on a certain type of tariff. For example, some green tariffs and special time of use tariffs

If you’re not sure what tariff you’re on, check your energy bill or contact your energy supplier.

You’re likely to be on your energy supplier’s standard variable tariff if:

  • Your supplier has gone bust and you’re moved to a new supplier. This happened at the height of the energy crisis and isn’t that common now.
  • You’ve come to the end of a fixed term contract.

How has the energy price cap changed over time?

When does the energy price cap change?

Ofgem reviews the energy price cap every three months. Ofgem confirmed the next price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025 on 25 November 2024.

Can I get help to pay my energy bills?

We know that for many households the price of energy bills is still a worry. But help is available.

You can lower your energy bills by £356 a year in Great Britain (GB) and £493 in Northern Ireland (NI) by following our quick tips to save energy.

If you’re looking to save money over the long-term, there’s also financial support for making your home more energy efficient.

Latest blogs

Go to blog

Your top five tips for saving energy during colder weather

23 October 2024

We asked, you answered. Here are your top tips for saving energy during colder weather, from optimising your radiators to air drying…

How community energy can help deliver affordable power

22 October 2024

Community energy organisations are finding ways to translate their clean power into lower energy bills. Let's look at some examples.

Heat pump installation: a step-by-step guide

21 October 2024

Heat pumps are an effective way to heat your home that could save you money on your energy bills and reduce your…

Last updated: 8 October 2024