Revealed: Expensive gas behind ‘nearly 90%’ of rise in UK electricity bills
New analysis reveals that expensive wholesale gas prices are responsible for nearly 90% of the rise in UK household electricity bills since 2020. The findings contradict popular narratives blaming net-zero policies for high energy costs.
Why it matters
Understanding the true drivers of energy inflation is essential for shaping effective public policy and consumer protection during economic crises.
Share A surge in wholesale costs driven by expensive gas is responsible for nearly 90% of the rise in UK household electricity bills since 2020, reveals new analysis.
The figures, shared with Carbon Brief by thinktank Nesta , show that wholesale gas costs are also behind the vast majority (77%) of the increase in household gas bills.
The analysis firmly contradicts the idea, which has become embedded in UK media and political narratives , that the UK’s net-zero target is to blame for high energy bills.
Andrew Sissons , director for sustainable future at Nesta, tells Carbon Brief that net-zero is, in fact, “helping to shelter Britain from the impact of expensive gas”. He adds:
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