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The next energy price cap

Ofgem has published the cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. These rates are official but not yet in force.

Takes effect1 October to 31 December 2026
Electricity now26.11p per kWh
Electricity from then26.32p per kWh
Gas now7.33p per kWh
Gas from then7.97p per kWh
Electricity standing charge from then54.83p a day

Ofgem states there is no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so these figures carry no VAT. Costs are not directly comparable with earlier periods.

Source: Ofgem · Takes effect: 1 October to 31 December 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-13

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What it means for your bill

National averages say little about your home. Price the change at your own usage and region.

kWh a year
kWh a year

Change to your yearly cost

+£77

From £1,845 now to £1,922 from 01/10

Electricity now (1 July to 30 September 2026)£875
Gas now£970
Electricity from 1 October to 31 December 2026£875
Gas from the same date£1,047
At your usage in London, the published change works out at about £77 a year more — roughly £6.43 a month. This is the capped rate, not a bill: what you actually pay still depends on how much you use. Note the VAT treatment of electricity differs between these periods, so the two are not like-for-like.

Source: Ofgem · Takes effect: 1 October to 31 December 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-13

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Should you fix before the change?

A fixed deal is only better if it beats the capped rates over the whole period you would be fixed for — and cap levels beyond the published period are unknown. The fixed versus variable calculator prices a real offer against the published capped rates instead of guessing.

Common questions

Are these rates definitely going to apply?
They are the levels Ofgem has published for that period. Your own supplier sets its rates at or below the cap for default tariffs.
Why can't I compare the two periods directly?
Where VAT treatment differs between periods we say so above, because the published figures are then not like-for-like.

See whether you could pay less

Your results above are based on official Ofgem figures and your own numbers. Switching is optional and nothing here changes what the calculation says.

Compare your tariff against another

Affiliate disclosure — commercial links never change your results or the Ofgem figures we show.

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