Energy Prices in Durham 2026
Durham is in Ofgem's North Eastern England region, where the local electricity network is run by Northern Powergrid. Using that region's capped rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026, we estimate a typical Durham household pays about £1,722 a year (£144 a month) for gas and electricity. That makes North Eastern England the 7th most expensive of Great Britain's 14 regions for a typical bill — £1 less than the GB average and £50 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region. Its electricity standing charge of 61.58p a day is the 3rd most expensive. Based on what a typical County Durham household actually uses (2,202 kWh of electricity and 10,636 kWh of gas a year), the estimate is £1,737 a year (£145 a month). Locally, homes not on the gas grid is 6.5% (Great Britain: 16.0%) and public EV chargers per 100,000 people is 149.1 (UK: 174.9).
Average gas and electricity bill in Durham
Estimated monthly bill
£144
Estimated annual bill
£1,722
vs GB average
−£1
Estimates based on the North Eastern England region's rates, not measured Durham 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 £861/yr, gas £861/yr. Source: Ofgem.
Energy in County Durham: the local picture
These figures are for the County Durham council area, which includes Durham.
Estimate based on what a typical County Durham household actually uses
£1,737/yr (£145/month)
2,202 kWh electricity (£785) + 10,636 kWh gas (£951, for homes on the gas grid) on North Eastern England cap rates — £14 more than the typical-use estimate above.
Typical electricity use
2,202 kWh/yr
Below Great Britain (2,471 kWh/yr)
Typical gas use
10,636 kWh/yr
Above Great Britain (9,859 kWh/yr)
Homes not on the gas grid
6.5%
Below Great Britain (16.0%)
Solar installations per 1,000 households
71.9
16,892 installations
Above Great Britain (68.1)
Check a solar quotePublic EV chargers per 100,000 people
149.1
802 public chargers
Below UK (174.9)
EV charging cost calculatorHouseholds in fuel poverty
10.0%
In line with England (9.9%)
Homes rated EPC C or above
53.2%
In line with 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).
Your region
Electricity region: North Eastern England
Network operator: Northern Powergrid — call 105 in a power cut.
Energy price cap rates are set by region, not by town, so Durham shares its rates with every other town in North Eastern England, including Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Gateshead and Hartlepool.
How Durham compares
| Measure | North Eastern England | Rank of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bill | £1,722/yr | 7th most expensive |
| Electricity unit rate | 25.46p/kWh | 2nd cheapest |
| Electricity standing charge | 61.58p/day | 3rd most expensive |
A typical Durham bill is an estimated £1 less than the GB average (£1,724) and £50 more than East Midlands, the cheapest region (£1,672).
Energy deals in Durham
The cap figures above are the most a Durham supplier can charge on a standard variable tariff. A fixed deal priced below these rates is the way to pay less.
- Check your current rate — compare the unit rate (p/kWh) and standing charge on your bill with the North Eastern England figures above.
- Compare fixed vs variable — fixed deals lock in your price, variable follow the price cap.
- Look at the whole price, not just the headline rate. Standing charges add up.
- Watch exit fees on fixed tariffs before you switch.
- Switch online — your supply is never interrupted.
Standing charge calculator
What daily charges cost you over a year.
Energy bill calculator
Your bill from your own usage.
Power cut risk checker
Check your postcode's network area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity bill in Durham?
Based on Ofgem's North Eastern England cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 (25.46p/kWh and 61.58p a day), a typical household using 2,500 kWh a year would pay an estimated £861 a year for electricity, about £72 a month, by Direct Debit on a standard variable tariff. Based on typical local use in County Durham (2,202 kWh a year), the estimate is £785 a year.
What is the average gas bill in Durham?
On the same North Eastern England cap rates, a typical household using 9,500 kWh of gas a year would pay an estimated £861 a year, about £72 a month. Based on typical local gas use in County Durham (10,636 kWh a year, homes on the gas grid), the estimate is £951 a year.
Who is the electricity network operator in Durham?
Northern Powergrid runs the electricity network in Durham. It is not your supplier — call 105 (free) to report or check a power cut.
Is energy cheaper in Durham than Leeds?
A typical household in Durham (North Eastern England) would pay an estimated £1,722 a year, compared with £1,724 in Leeds (Yorkshire) — £2 less than Leeds, on Ofgem's cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Using each area's typical local use, the estimates are £1,737 a year in Durham (County Durham) and £1,761 in Leeds (Leeds).
How many homes in Durham have solar panels?
County Durham had 16,892 solar panel installations — 71.9 per 1,000 households, above the Great Britain figure of 68.1 (DESNZ, Renewable electricity by local authority (number of solar PV installations), End of 2025).