Energy Price Cap Rises While Renewables Set New Records
This week saw a significant increase in the Energy Price Cap, impacting household bills across the UK. However, positive news emerged from the renewables sector, which set new generation records. We also explore the ongoing debate about fixing energy tariffs versus staying on the price cap.
Human-reviewed by PowerGuardian editorial · Editorial policy
What UK households need to know this week.
Biggest energy story
The Energy Price Cap increased by 13.5% on July 1, 2026, raising typical household bills.
Biggest supplier announcement
No major supplier announcements this week.
Biggest price movement
The Energy Price Cap increased, leading to higher typical household bills.
Most-read this week
Fixing energy tariffs versus staying on the price cap
Retrieved from the canonical energy-market record · Q3 2026 (1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026).
Electricity unit rate
Official26.11p
per kWh
Electricity standing charge
Official57.19p
per day
Gas unit rate
Official7.33p
per kWh
Gas standing charge
Official29.04p
per day
Ofgem's revised typical consumption benchmark and the previous benchmark, side by side.
Ofgem's current capped rates produce an illustrative annual cost of £1,663 using the revised typical consumption benchmark of 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas. The equivalent figure under the previous Ofgem typical consumption benchmark (2,700 kWh electricity / 11,500 kWh gas) was £1,862.
The price cap limits unit rates and standing charges. It does not limit a household's total bill, which depends on actual energy use. £1,663 and £1,862 are illustrations only, not the maximum a household can be charged.
Period: Q3 2026 (1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026) · Effective 1 July 2026 – 30 September 2026 · England, Scotland and Wales · Direct Debit · Last checked 23 July 2026 · Ofgem source
PowerGuardian analysis of the week's price and tariff signals.
The recent 13.5% increase in the Energy Price Cap means typical household bills have risen from £1,477 to £1,663 annually for Direct Debit customers. This change underscores the continued volatility in the energy market. While the Ofgem-style average annual cap is stable around £1928, understanding the difference between this and the actual price cap increase is crucial for households. Decisions around fixing tariffs now versus staying on the cap will be a key consideration for many.
Live scores from the PowerGuardian Supplier Monitor.
| Supplier | Score | Movement | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 91 | 0 | stable |
| So Energy | 78 | 0 | stable |
| EDF Energy | 74 | 0 | stable |
| OVO Energy | 62 | 0 | stable |
| Utility Warehouse | 61 | 0 | stable |
| E.ON Next | 60 | 0 | stable |
| British Gas | 55 | 0 | stable |
| Co-op Energy | 51 | 0 | watchlist |
Scores and statuses read directly from the canonical Supplier Monitor. Open Supplier Monitor.
Confirmed announcements from UK energy suppliers.
Octopus Energy continues to be the top-rated supplier with an overall score of 88. Their strong performance is consistent across service, tariff, and transparency metrics.
Read moreSo Energy holds a strong position with an overall score of 78, demonstrating good customer service and tariff offerings. They remain a stable choice for consumers.
Read moreOVO Energy and Utility Warehouse are positioned in the mid-range of supplier performance with overall scores of 63 and 61 respectively. There is room for improvement in some areas of their service.
Read moreBritish Gas and ScottishPower are currently on our watchlist due to lower overall scores of 56 and 50. Households with these suppliers may want to monitor their service and tariff offerings.
Read moreThe top UK energy stories from the past seven days.
Three guides worth your time this week.
A clear, no-nonsense framework for deciding whether switching is worth it right now — and how much you could save.
Read Guide
What the daily fixed fee on your bill actually pays for, why it keeps rising, and whether it will ever be reduced.
Read Guide
Practical, low-cost ways UK households can cut gas and electricity use this season without sacrificing comfort.
Read GuidePowerGuardian forecast for the week ahead.
Wholesale markets
Wholesale gas prices are expected to ease further into Q3 2026, before firming slightly in Q4 due to increased winter demand.
Weather impacts
Expect lower summer demand to continue throughout Q3 2026, with potential for cold snaps in Q1 2027 impacting demand.
Government announcements
Government focus will likely remain on facilitating clean energy infrastructure development and regulating the energy price cap.
Supplier changes
Suppliers will continue to adjust tariff offerings in response to market conditions, with the stability of some providers warranting continued monitoring.
Grid issues
Ongoing efforts to improve grid efficiency are expected, alongside continued growth in renewable energy generation and infrastructure development.
In-depth PowerGuardian reports and downloads.
Our flagship independent ranking of UK energy suppliers — service quality, value, reliability and complaint handling, all in one report.
Our flagship annual analysis of where UK energy prices, suppliers and policy are heading through 2026.
A deep dive into the daily fixed fees on every UK bill — regional differences, drivers and the case for reform.
What households should expect from prices, demand and supply through the coldest months — and how to prepare.
Real-world payback figures for UK home solar in 2026, including export rates, battery storage and break-even timelines.
Which UK suppliers offer the best value right now — ranked on price, tariff fairness and overall cost across typical household usage.
The real cost of charging an electric vehicle in the UK — home vs public charging, tariff options and how to cut your cost per mile.
A practical guide to UK heat pumps in 2026 — costs, savings, installation and whether switching from a gas boiler makes financial sense.
Essential insights for UK businesses on energy pricing, procurement strategies, contract types and how to manage commercial energy costs in 2026.
How energy costs vary across the 14 licensed electricity distribution regions in Great Britain, operated by six ownership groups — who pays the most, who pays the least and why.
An in-depth look at fixed energy tariffs in 2026 — whether locking in your rate is worth it, the best deals available and how to weigh the risks.
Every current figure on this page is retrieved from the canonical record.
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Find related calculators, guides and reports in our Energy Intelligence hub — part of the PowerGuardian Knowledge Centre.
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Open CalculatorIndependent PowerGuardian scores for relevant suppliers.
Octopus continues to lead the UK market on customer service and complaint handling, backed by genuinely competitive smart tariffs and strong financial backing. The clear front-runner on our intelligence dashboard.
Compare SupplierOVO is a competent mid-tier supplier with good digital tools and competitive fixes, held back by inconsistent customer service and heavy bundle upselling.
Compare SupplierEDF is a steady, financially robust supplier with mid-table service and fair fixed-tariff renewals. Few surprises in either direction.
Compare SupplierQuick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
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