ELECTRICITY PRICES · OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2026
Electricity price per kWh in the UK (October–December 2026)
The average capped electricity price in Great Britain is 26.32p per kWh, plus a standing charge of 54.83p a day, from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. That is for a default tariff paid by Direct Debit on a single-rate meter, and 0% VAT this period.
GB AVERAGE
26.32pper kWhSTANDING CHARGE
54.83pa day, GB averageLOWEST REGION
25.36pper kWh in East MidlandsHIGHEST REGION
27.86pper kWh in Merseyside and Northern WalesElectricity price per kWh by region
Ofgem sets a cap for each of 14 regions, so the most a supplier can charge on a default tariff depends on where you live. Regions are sorted from the lowest unit rate. Annual cost uses Ofgem’s typical electricity use of 2,500 kWh a year.
| Region | Unit rate (p/kWh) | Standing charge (p/day) | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 25.36 | 51.45 | £822 |
| North Eastern England | 25.46 | 61.58 | £861 |
| West Midlands | 25.60 | 57.23 | £849 |
| Yorkshire | 25.60 | 61.67 | £865 |
| Southern Scotland | 26.11 | 61.41 | £877 |
| Northern Scotland | 26.35 | 55.14 | £860 |
| Southern England | 26.47 | 47.81 | £836 |
| North Western England | 26.49 | 45.68 | £829 |
| Southern Wales | 26.55 | 55.41 | £866 |
| South Western England | 26.58 | 55.58 | £867 |
| London | 26.60 | 42.92 | £822 |
| Eastern England | 26.61 | 51.84 | £854 |
| South Eastern England | 26.88 | 52.32 | £863 |
| Merseyside and Northern Wales | 27.86 | 67.66 | £943 |
| GB average | 26.32 | 54.83 | £858 |
The region with the lowest unit rate is not always the cheapest overall, because standing charges vary more than unit rates. Standing charges by region →
What it costs a year
Ofgem’s typical consumption values describe low, medium and high electricity use. At the GB average rates, including standing charges:
| Usage level | kWh a year | Annual cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1,600 kWh | £621 | £52 |
| Medium | 2,500 kWh | £858 | £72 |
| High | 3,800 kWh | £1,200 | £100 |
What a kWh of electricity does
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts used for an hour. At 26.32p per kWh, here is what everyday jobs cost:
| Job | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle, per boil | 0.10 kWh | 2.6p |
| Microwave, per use | 0.11 kWh | 2.8p |
| Air fryer, per meal | 0.58 kWh | 15p |
| Washing machine, per wash | 0.57 kWh | 15p |
| Tumble dryer (heat pump), per load | 1.44 kWh | 38p |
| Electric shower, per shower | 1.19 kWh | 31p |
| Electric car home charging, per mile | 0.33 kWh | 8.8p |
Running costs for 32 appliances →
Business electricity prices
Business tariffs are not covered by the price cap. Government statistics give the average price paid by non-domestic electricity users, 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026 (provisional): 24.51p per kWh including Climate Change Levy, excluding VAT. These averages already include standing charges, so do not add one.
| Size band | Annual use (MWh) | Excluding CCL | Including CCL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Small | 0 - 20 | 37.67 | 38.36 |
| Small | 20 - 499 | 27.87 | 28.59 |
| Small/Medium | 500 - 1,999 | 27.09 | 27.67 |
| Medium | 2,000 - 19,999 | 24.61 | 25.17 |
| Large | 20,000 - 69,999 | 23.85 | 24.42 |
| Very Large | 70,000 - 150,000 | 22.25 | 22.70 |
| Extra Large | >150,000 | 21.78 | 22.25 |
| Average | 23.97 | 24.51 |
Business energy prices explained →
How to find your own rate
- Your bill or online account shows your unit rate in pence per kWh and your standing charge in pence a day.
- Every tariff has a Tariff Information Label, which lists both prices.
- On a fixed tariff your rates are set by the contract, not the cap. Compare them with the cap rates above when the deal is ending.
- On Economy 7 or another time-of-use tariff, each time band has its own unit rate.
What happens next
Ofgem will announce the cap for January–March 2027 by 25 November 2026. The 0% VAT rate on household electricity runs until 31 March 2027. What the VAT cut saves →
Frequently asked questions
What is the average price of electricity per kWh in the UK?
Under Ofgem’s price cap from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026, the average electricity unit rate in England, Scotland and Wales is 26.32p per kWh for Direct Debit customers (0% VAT this period), plus a standing charge of 54.83p a day. Northern Ireland is not covered by the cap.
Which region has the cheapest electricity per kWh?
East Midlands, at 25.36p per kWh. Merseyside and Northern Wales has the highest cap unit rate at 27.86p. Standing charges vary more: from 42.92p a day in London to 67.66p in Merseyside and Northern Wales.
Does the price per kWh include VAT?
Yes. Household electricity carries 0% VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the capped rates include no VAT this period. Before the cut, household energy carried 5% VAT.
Is the unit rate the whole cost?
No. You also pay the daily standing charge, even on days you use no electricity. At the GB average that is £200 a year before any electricity is used. Your total is usage × unit rate plus days × standing charge.
How much is electricity per kWh for businesses?
Businesses are not covered by the price cap. Government figures put the average price paid by non-domestic electricity users at 24.51p per kWh for 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026 (including Climate Change Levy, excluding VAT, provisional). Small users pay more per kWh than large ones.
When will the electricity price per kWh change?
Ofgem will announce the cap for 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027 by 25 November 2026. The 0% VAT rate on household electricity runs until 31 March 2027. Fixed tariffs keep their contracted rates until they end.
About these figures
Regional rates are derived from Ofgem’s published annual cap levels, rounded to the penny, so they can differ from a supplier’s tariff by a fraction of a penny. They are maximums for default tariffs, not quotes. Business figures are averages of prices actually paid, not current offers.
Sources
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average Direct Debit rates and VAT basis.
- Ofgem: cap tables, October–December 2026 (PDF) ↗Regional annual charges used to derive each region’s rates.
- Ofgem: typical domestic consumption values decision (PDF) ↗Low, medium and high annual usage.
- DESNZ: gas and electricity prices in the non-domestic sector ↗Average business prices, 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026 (provisional).
- GOV.UK: Breathing space on your energy bill ↗
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →