Infographic: Bills, prices and profits

Facts and figures on Britain's energy market, larger supplier prices and profits, energy bills and switching.

What makes up Britain's energy market?

The full rollout of competition in the energy market began in the late 90s. As of June 2021, 49 active suppliers compete in the domestic energy market. Of these, 40 provide both gas and electricity, 5 solely supply gas and 4 solely electricity.

Domestic market shares - Gas

• 68% - large legacy suppliers*
• 32% - other suppliers

Domestic market shares - Electricity

• 69% - large legacy suppliers
• 31% - other suppliers

In 2009, we told energy companies they must publish annual statements (CSS) showing separately their revenues, costs and profits for how they generate and supply energy so profits are clearer for consumers.

*Large legacy are: British Gas, OVO Energy, E.ON, EDF, npower, Scottish Power.

Prices and profits of the larger energy suppliers

The latest numbers show:

Data based on realised costs, as reported by the six larger energy companies in their annual consolidated segmental statements 2020.

What makes up your energy bill?

Breakdown of a dual fuel bill:

Breakdown of gas bill:

Breakdown of an electricity fuel bill:

Average available tariffs October 2021

• Standard variable tarriff around £1,277 per year¹
• Cheapest tarriff basket around £1,268 per year²

1. Based on average of dual fuel, direct debit and available paper tariffs from the large legacy suppliers at December 2021. A price cap applied to these tariffs from January 2019.

2. Based on the simple average of the 10 cheapest tariffs offered by suppliers in the market (one tariff per supplier). Where each tariff is based on the dual fuel average available paperless tariff paid by direct debit with typical domestic consumption values at December 2021.

How do UK prices compare with Europe?

UK ranks below average on gas prices and around average on electricity prices.

Average domestic gas price (medium user)

Average UK domestic gas price (incl. taxes) for medium user customer for period July to December 2020 is below the median EU price.*

Average domestic electricity price (medium user)

Average UK domestic electricity price (incl. taxes) for medium user customer for period July to December 2020 is above the median EU price.*

*Source: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

When it comes to energy shopping...

For January - October 2021:

• 2.9 million gas customers switched
• 4.2 million electricity customers switched
• 843 thousand moved from large legacy to other suppliers for gas (net gain)
• 1 million moved from large legacy to other suppliers for electricity (net gain) 

During this time 27% of total switches across both fuels moved to other suppliers (net gain).

Further data sources: Market structure and share figures from Distribution Network Operator and Xoserve data. Prices and profits of the large legacy suppliers from Ofgem Consolidated Segmental Statements. Average available tariffs calculated from EnergyHelpline data. Figures based on dual fuel tariffs paid by direct debit (Typical domestic consumption values as of 1st April 2020: 12,000kWh for gas and 2,900kWh for electricity). Average variable tariffs based on dual fuel direct debit standard variable tariffs available from the large legacy suppliers. UK/Europe price comparison figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Switching figures to other suppliers are calculated taking the gross gains for other suppliers then subtracting the losses to calculate a net gains value. Ofgem switching figures calculated from Network Operator data accounting for total number of meters for fuel type.

Information correct at December 2021.