Energy prices in Bristol 2026
Wondering how local energy costs compare? These figures give you a starting point, not a prediction of your own bill.
Bristol is in Ofgem's South Western England region, where the local electricity network is run by National Grid Electricity Distribution. Using that region's capped rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026, we estimate a typical Bristol household pays about £1,746 a year (£145 a month) for gas and electricity. That makes South Western England the 2nd most expensive of Great Britain's 14 regions for a typical bill — £22 more than the GB average and £74 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region. Its electricity standing charge of 55.58p a day is the 6th most expensive. Based on what a typical Bristol household actually uses (2,413 kWh of electricity and 8,543 kWh of gas a year), the estimate is £1,645 a year (£137 a month). Locally, public EV chargers per 100,000 people is 98.7 (UK: 174.9) and solar installations per 1,000 households is 56.0 (Great Britain: 68.1).
Energy in Bristol: the local picture
Estimate based on what a typical Bristol household actually uses
£1,645/yr (£137/month)
2,413 kWh electricity (£844) + 8,543 kWh gas (£801, for homes on the gas grid) on South Western England cap rates — £101 less than the South Western England typical-use estimate below.
Typical electricity use
2,413 kWh/yr
In line with Great Britain (2,471 kWh/yr)
Typical gas use
8,543 kWh/yr
Below Great Britain (9,859 kWh/yr)
Homes not on the gas grid
17.4%
Above Great Britain (16.0%)
Solar installations per 1,000 households
56.0
10,725 installations
Below Great Britain (68.1)
Check a solar quotePublic EV chargers per 100,000 people
98.7
488 public chargers
Below UK (174.9)
EV charging cost calculatorHouseholds in fuel poverty
10.6%
Above England (9.9%)
Homes rated EPC C or above
51.0%
Below England (53.3%)
Sources: DESNZ, Subnational electricity consumption statistics (2024); DESNZ, Subnational gas consumption statistics (weather-corrected) (2024); DESNZ, Subnational estimates of properties not connected to the gas network (2024); DESNZ, Renewable electricity by local authority (number of solar PV installations) (End of 2025); Department for Transport, Electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics (table EVCI0102) (1 July 2026); DESNZ, Sub-regional fuel poverty data 2026 (LILEE measure) (2024); ONS, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C or above, England and Wales (Up to March 2025).
Average gas and electricity bill in Bristol
Estimated monthly bill
£145
Estimated annual bill
£1,746
vs GB average
+£22
Estimates based on the South Western England region's rates, not measured Bristol bills: Ofgem's capped Direct Debit rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 × Ofgem's typical use of 2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas a year. Electricity £867/yr, gas £878/yr. Source: Ofgem, rates checked 17 September 2026.
Your region
Electricity region: South Western England
Network operator: National Grid Electricity Distribution — call 105 in a power cut.
Energy price cap rates are set by region, not by town, so Bristol shares its rates with every other town in South Western England, including Plymouth, Exeter, Bath, Torquay, Taunton, Truro and Weston-super-Mare.
How Bristol compares
| Measure | South Western England | Rank of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bill | £1,746/yr | 2nd most expensive |
| Electricity unit rate | 26.58p/kWh | 5th most expensive |
| Electricity standing charge | 55.58p/day | 6th most expensive |
A typical Bristol bill is an estimated £22 more than the GB average (£1,724) and £74 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region (£1,672).
Paying less than the cap in Bristol
The cap figures above are the most a Bristol supplier can charge on a standard variable tariff. A fixed deal priced below these rates is the way to pay less: compare its unit rate and standing charge with the South Western England figures, and check exit fees. Our switching guide covers the steps.
Work out my own billFrequently asked questions
What is the average electricity bill in Bristol?
Based on Ofgem's South Western England cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 (26.58p/kWh and 55.58p a day), a typical household using 2,500 kWh a year would pay an estimated £867 a year for electricity, about £72 a month, by Direct Debit on a standard variable tariff. Based on typical local use in Bristol (2,413 kWh a year), the estimate is £844 a year.
What is the average gas bill in Bristol?
On the same South Western England cap rates, a typical household using 9,500 kWh of gas a year would pay an estimated £878 a year, about £73 a month. Based on typical local gas use in Bristol (8,543 kWh a year, homes on the gas grid), the estimate is £801 a year.
Who is the electricity network operator in Bristol?
National Grid Electricity Distribution runs the electricity network in Bristol. It is not your supplier — call 105 (free) to report or check a power cut.
Is energy cheaper in Bristol than Birmingham?
A typical household in Bristol (South Western England) would pay an estimated £1,746 a year, compared with £1,708 in Birmingham (West Midlands) — £38 more than Birmingham, on Ofgem's cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Using each area's typical local use, the estimates are £1,645 a year in Bristol (Bristol) and £1,860 in Birmingham (Birmingham).
How many homes in Bristol have solar panels?
Bristol had 10,725 solar panel installations — 56.0 per 1,000 households, below the Great Britain figure of 68.1 (DESNZ, Renewable electricity by local authority (number of solar PV installations), End of 2025).