[Mailman]

Originally Posted by meldrewreborn

The push for net zero brings huge capital costs now, with the presumption that unit prices will be lower in the future.

I am reminded of that book by Tom Sharpe 'Blott on the Landscape' where the plot revolves around the building a large infrastructure project - not an upgrade to the national grid (more pylons, more connectors etc) but to the transport network via a new motorway. 🤣

Well if the planning requirements are effectively sidelined for national infrastructure projects then all that is needed is the investment to do it all. Fear not though as I see a white steed charging towards us with a large banner saying something like 'Great British Energy will be our saviour' ridden by Sir Kier of Starmer (followed closely on foot by his squire appears to be Sir Edward of Milliband) and, when its all over, our energy bills will be £300 lower (seemingly at some indeterminate point in the future)...........but only if you go to all electric. 🤣

In the meantime welcome to a 9% uptick in what you pay - unless you were fortunate to snag a decent fix ....😜

[meldrewreborn]

@retrotecchie

I've turned up a bill from October 2018 and the gas was 2.8571 p per kWh, standing charge 21.905 p per day, both ex VAT.

However, those were the days when there was real competition in the market place , and those prepared to switch and take fix price deals could save a lot of money., which I can reasonably claim to be active in doing.

Today's competition is a bit fake, and savings on offer rather marginal.

[meldrewreborn]

@Mailman

Blott on the Landscape is a great book and the TV adaptation was very good as well. It gave plenty of laughs, George Cole as the bombastic landowner being chased by his wife's lions is particularly memorable.

[retrotecchie]

@meldrewreborn

If I recall, Blott himself was played rather splendidly by David Suchet. I'm a huge fan of Tom Sharpe, but his stuff would very much be termed politically incorrect these days. In fact, I rather doubt that Riotous Assembly would get past the censors in these modern times.
George Cole will always be 'Arfur Daley' to me. He was always at his best playing slightly dodgy but loveable characters. Flash Harry in the old black and white St Trinians films was stuff of legend.
@Mailman

I'm saving around £15 a month on my fix compared to Flex. That saving should get even better. Roll on September👍😎

[meldrewreborn]

Dear All

OFGEM did launch a consultation on standing charges back in 2023. It hasn't published its response yet, but the consultation invite does contain a lot of detail about their thinking and what has caused the sharp increases, particularly in electricity standing charges, in recent years. Its worth a read at bedtime if you can't get to sleep!!

Standing Charges: Call for Input (ofgem.gov.uk)

[meldrewreborn]

The headline price cap up 10% from October 1.

However.standing charge increases are just a few percentage points, electricity unit prices up about 10%, while gas unit prices are up nearly 14%.

Thus, as ever, the actual increase in you bills will determine by how much you use and you mix of consumption between electricity and gas.

I’ve also read today that OFGEM is retaining its ban on acquisition tariffs - where a tariff is only available to new but not existing customers. This applies to March 2025.

Those who have fixed their rates earlier will face no change until their fix expires.

[Mailman]

And here are all the regional rates, courtesy of Ofgem, released today.

Personally am moving into territory where my fixed rates (on Next Secure Fixed 24m v 2) will be less than these forthcoming October 1st Next Flex rates. Total payments on my usage numbers and current fix are £1227 per year v £1299 per year for the same usage on Next Flex (assuming no further price increases in the rates until Oct 2025).

However further increases to the cap likely in January 2025 (see Cornwall Latest)

New forecasts from Cornwall Insight indicate that this may not be the last of the increases. The January 2025 (Q125) cap is currently projected to rise by an additional £45 to £1,762 ......., this would mark a 3% increase from October’s cap.

[retrotecchie]

@Mailman

For my region, South Wales, the cap is rising to 64.12p for the standing charge and 24.49p per unit.

Makes my Next Secure at 23.10 p/kWh and 54.21 p/day look even better!

My typical daily consumption of 8kWh per day equates to £2.39 a day under the fix and £2.60 a day if I was on Flex. That's a saving of £6 a month, or £72 a year.👍

[Tommysgirl]

@Mailman

Thanks for the regional rates and the Cornwall Insight January predictions. I see our Northern region electricity standing charge is still the highest there is, but the unit cost is going to be slightly lower than other regions. I'll be checking out the fixed rates available either later today or tomorrow.👍

[meldrewreborn]

@Tommysgirl

I suggest you check sooner rather than later.