Energy prices in Cardiff 2026
Wondering how local energy costs compare? These figures give you a starting point, not a prediction of your own bill.
Cardiff is in Ofgem's Southern Wales 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 Cardiff household pays about £1,744 a year (£145 a month) for gas and electricity. That makes Southern Wales the 3rd most expensive of Great Britain's 14 regions for a typical bill — £20 more than the GB average and £72 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region. Its electricity standing charge of 55.41p a day is the 7th most expensive. Based on what a typical Cardiff household actually uses (2,421 kWh of electricity and 9,130 kWh of gas a year), the estimate is £1,693 a year (£141 a month). Locally, public EV chargers per 100,000 people is 118.3 (UK: 174.9) and solar installations per 1,000 households is 46.7 (Great Britain: 68.1).
Energy in Cardiff: the local picture
Estimate based on what a typical Cardiff household actually uses
£1,693/yr (£141/month)
2,421 kWh electricity (£845) + 9,130 kWh gas (£848, for homes on the gas grid) on Southern Wales cap rates — £51 less than the Southern Wales typical-use estimate below.
Typical electricity use
2,421 kWh/yr
In line with Great Britain (2,471 kWh/yr)
Typical gas use
9,130 kWh/yr
Below Great Britain (9,859 kWh/yr)
Homes not on the gas grid
13.6%
Below Great Britain (16.0%)
Solar installations per 1,000 households
46.7
7,453 installations
Below Great Britain (68.1)
Check a solar quotePublic EV chargers per 100,000 people
118.3
454 public chargers
Below UK (174.9)
EV charging cost calculatorHomes rated EPC C or above
58.5%
Above 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); ONS, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C or above, England and Wales (Up to March 2025).
Average gas and electricity bill in Cardiff
Estimated monthly bill
£145
Estimated annual bill
£1,744
vs GB average
+£20
Estimates based on the Southern Wales region's rates, not measured Cardiff 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 £866/yr, gas £878/yr. Source: Ofgem, rates checked 17 September 2026.
Your region
Electricity region: Southern Wales
Network operator: National Grid Electricity Distribution — call 105 in a power cut.
Energy price cap rates are set by region, not by town, so Cardiff shares its rates with every other town in Southern Wales, including Swansea, Newport and Bridgend.
How Cardiff compares
| Measure | Southern Wales | Rank of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bill | £1,744/yr | 3rd most expensive |
| Electricity unit rate | 26.55p/kWh | 6th most expensive |
| Electricity standing charge | 55.41p/day | 7th most expensive |
A typical Cardiff bill is an estimated £20 more than the GB average (£1,724) and £72 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region (£1,672).
Paying less than the cap in Cardiff
The cap figures above are the most a Cardiff 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 Southern Wales 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 Cardiff?
Based on Ofgem's Southern Wales cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 (26.55p/kWh and 55.41p a day), a typical household using 2,500 kWh a year would pay an estimated £866 a year for electricity, about £72 a month, by Direct Debit on a standard variable tariff. Based on typical local use in Cardiff (2,421 kWh a year), the estimate is £845 a year.
What is the average gas bill in Cardiff?
On the same Southern Wales 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 Cardiff (9,130 kWh a year, homes on the gas grid), the estimate is £848 a year.
Who is the electricity network operator in Cardiff?
National Grid Electricity Distribution runs the electricity network in Cardiff. It is not your supplier — call 105 (free) to report or check a power cut.
Is energy cheaper in Cardiff than Bristol?
A typical household in Cardiff (Southern Wales) would pay an estimated £1,744 a year, compared with £1,746 in Bristol (South Western England) — £2 less than Bristol, on Ofgem's cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Using each area's typical local use, the estimates are £1,693 a year in Cardiff (Cardiff) and £1,645 in Bristol (Bristol).
How many homes in Cardiff have solar panels?
Cardiff had 7,453 solar panel installations — 46.7 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).