Edf Price Increases - Hits 2.6 million people

EDF Energy will be implementing a price increase of 2.6% to some of its regional electricity tariffs in a number of areas* affecting a minority of its electricity customers. This follows a review of its electricity prices after an average rise of 16% in distribution and transmission costsi since its last electricity price change in March 2009.

Distribution and transmissions costs currently represent around a fifth of a customer electricity bill. A typical electricity customer affected by this price adjustment will pay less than £1 extra a month.
EDF Energy understands that in these difficult economic times, any increase in prices can have an effect on household budgets. Energylinx has launched these prices across all its platforms withe immediate effect althoigh existing customers will not actually pay any more until the 1st October.

New Ovo Pice Increases

OVO Energy has today launched updated prices for their gas and electricity tariffs, New Energy and Green Energy.

With OVO Energy prices are fixed for a period of 12 months from the date the customer joins them. There is unfortunately early termination fees payable should the customer leave within the first 12 months.

OVO Energy follows EDF Energy and British Gas who have both announced increases across their most competitive online tariffs within the last week.

As Energylinx predicted back in March 2010 we will now start to see all energy companies forced to increase their energy prices, not as a result of changes to wholesale energy costs but related to the adoption of European pricing models earlier this year - meaning that their current prices are no longer sustainable.

New British Gas Tariff

Hot on the heels of the recent tariff launches by EDF Energy and npower British Gas has today launched Web Saver 9.

Similar to its predecessor Web Saver 8 this is British Gas’ most competitive online tariff available as a dual fuel, electricity only or gas only product. Customers do need to have access to the internet to obtain this tariff as it comes with online account management.

Across the UK on average the increase from WebSaver8 to WebSaver 9 is 8.93%. Customers living in London, Norweb and Seeboard areas see the highest increases of 11.3%, 10.17% and 10.24% respectively.

The rules surrounding the tariff are straightforward in that customers:
1. Need to pay by Monthly Direct Debit
2. New customers need to take gas and electricity
3. Existing customers can select gas and electricity or electricity only

In terms of benefits to the consumer, a guaranteed discount period is offered, with a minimum 6% discount against British Gas standard tariff prices until 1st November 2011 Customers are encouraged to compare their current energy tariffs against the entire market regularly over the next few months as we start to see the predicted increases taking effect.

First Utility Price Increases - 23%!

First Utility has increased energy prices for its existing customers by up to a quarter.

The start-up supplier has put up some of its prices by 23%, paving the way for the possibility of a new raft of increases from the “big six” energy companies.Customers who are on First Utility's two variable online dual fuel tariffs - isave v1 and isave v2 - can expect increases to their energy bills.

Based on an average household, the isave v2 tariff has risen by 23.3% to £1136 a year from £921.This deal is now £254 more expensive than the best online dual fuel deal, SaveOnline v2 from E.ON which stands at £882 a year, according to figures from moneysupermarket.com Meanwhile, the isave v1 has also gone up from £965 a year on average to £1136 a year - an increase of 17.7%.

The news of price hikes is a stark contrast from earlier this year when First Utility named itself a price pioneer and the first energy firm in the UK to offer a dual fuel tariff costing less than £900.

Mark Daeche, chief executive officer of First Utility, said: "Last year Ofgem agreed to increase the charges that the gas and electricity distribution and transmission companies charge all Energy Suppliers. The increase in these charges came into effect on 1 April 2010.“This is an industry-wide pricing change that all suppliers in the energy marketplace have to deal with.

Daeche also blamed the rise in energy wholesale prices for the price hikes. He added: “In addition wholesale energy prices have increased significantly since March 2010.“We have been able to absorb these additional costs and delay increasing our prices until now, however it is has become apparent that these costs are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. “We will be reviewing this situation on a regular basis so that we can pass on price reductions directly to the consumer as soon as we can. “At the end of July First Utility pulled two of its online deals - the smart online saver 4 and the isave V3.2 - and lauched its isave v 4 and smart online saver 5

Is this the start of a new round of price increases from the 'big 6'? We recommend shopping around in order to obtain the best deals - particularly First Utility customers and customers coming off fixed price deals

http://www.getmecheapbills.com lists all of the energy deals currently on offer. Check now to see how much you could save.