25 July 2008
EDF Energy has confirmed that the prices paid by its gas and electricity customers are to rise for the second time in six months.
Blaming soaring wholesale costs, the energy supplier said its electricity prices will increase by 17%, while its gas prices will rise by 22%.
For consumers, this will add £65 to the average annual electricity bill and £143 to the average annual gas bill.
According to calculations by uSwitch.com, EDF dual fuel bills will rise from £1,007 to £1,211 a year.
The increases, which are effective immediately, are expected to prompt further price escalation among other energy suppliers.
Commenting on the announcement, uSwitch.com said the days of cheap energy are now over.
"We are in danger of seeing household energy becoming unaffordable for growing swathes of society," said Consumer Policy Director Anne Robinson.
She said consumers facing increases in their bills should act now to secure a better deal, pointing out that fixed or capped price plans could be a "lifeline for those who are more vulnerable to price rises".
Yesterday, the Chief Executive of Scottish and Southern Energy warned that his company was finding it increasingly difficult to refrain from passing on wholesale energy costs to consumers and that price rises could occur before the winter.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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