REGIONAL PRICE CAP · DIRECT DEBIT

Energy prices in North Western England (October–December 2026)

In North Western England, the price cap from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 is 26.49p per kWh for electricity with a 45.68p daily standing charge, and 7.86p per kWh for gas with a 29.81p daily standing charge.

Last updated 11 October 2026Direct Debit · single-rate electricityElectricity 0% VAT · gas includes 5% VAT

ELECTRICITY

26.49pper kWh + 45.68p a day

GAS

7.86pper kWh + 29.81p a day

TYPICAL DUAL FUEL

£1,684a year at Ofgem typical use

REGIONAL RANK

2 of 141 = lowest typical dual-fuel cost

How North Western England compares with the GB average

At Ofgem’s typical use, a dual-fuel Direct Debit household in North Western England would pay £1,684 a year under the cap: £39 less than the GB average of £1,724. That is 2nd lowest of the 14 regions.

North Western England compared with the GB average, October–December 2026Direct Debit. Rank 1 is the lowest of 14 regions.
ChargeNorth Western EnglandGB averageDifferenceRank
Electricity unit rate (p/kWh)26.4926.320.178
Electricity standing charge (p/day)45.6854.83-9.152
Gas unit rate (p/kWh)7.867.97-0.112
Gas standing charge (p/day)29.8129.680.139
Typical dual-fuel cost (£/year)£1,684£1,724−£392

Annual cost at typical use

Ofgem’s typical use is 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year. At North Western England’s cap rates that is £829 for electricity and £856 for gas, or £1,684 in total.

Worked example

How the annual cost is calculatedUsage × unit rate, plus 365 days of standing charges. Pence divided by 100 for pounds.
FuelEnergy usedStanding chargesTotal
Electricity2,500 kWh × 26.49p = £662.25365 × 45.68p = £166.73£828.98
Gas9,500 kWh × 7.86p = £746.70365 × 29.81p = £108.81£855.51
Dual fuel£1,684.49

Who runs the network in North Western England

The North Western England price-cap region is the area served by Electricity North West (Electricity North West), the electricity distribution network operator. It covers places such as Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster and Carlisle. Regions follow the electricity network, not county or council borders, so places near a boundary can fall either side. Cities listed are examples well inside each area. Find your network operator by postcode ↗

Without the temporary 0% VAT rate, 5% VAT on the same electricity cost would add about £41.45 a year in North Western England. About the electricity VAT cut →

Frequently asked questions

What is the electricity price per kWh in North Western England?

Under the price cap from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026, electricity in North Western England costs up to 26.49p per kWh with a standing charge of 45.68p a day, for a Direct Debit customer on a single-rate meter (0% VAT this period). That is 0.17p more than the GB average unit rate.

What is the gas price per kWh in North Western England?

Gas in North Western England costs up to 7.86p per kWh with a 29.81p daily standing charge under the cap, including 5% VAT, for Direct Debit customers.

Who runs the electricity network in North Western England?

Electricity North West (part of Electricity North West) is the distribution network operator for the North Western England region. It runs the local cables and substations; you buy your energy from a supplier. Network costs are part of every supplier’s prices, which is one reason prices differ by region.

Which areas are in the North Western England price-cap region?

The region is the Electricity North West licence area, which includes Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster and Carlisle. Regions follow the electricity network, not county or council borders, so places near a boundary can fall either side. Cities listed are examples well inside each area. Search your postcode with the Energy Networks Association to confirm your network operator.

Is this what my supplier will charge?

Only if you are on a default (standard variable) tariff paying by Direct Debit. The cap is a maximum for those tariffs. Fixed deals, prepayment and Standard Credit, and Economy 7 meters have different rates, so check the unit rate and standing charge on your bill.

About these figures

These are Ofgem price-cap benchmarks for a default tariff paid by Direct Debit with a single-rate electricity meter, derived from Ofgem’s rounded annual cap levels. They are not a supplier quote. The cap limits rates, not your total bill: your actual cost depends on how much you use, how you pay and your tariff.

Other regions

Compare all regions in one table →

Sources

  1. Ofgem: cap tables, October–December 2026 (PDF) ↗North Western England annual charges at nil and typical use, pages 1 and 4.
  2. Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB averages and VAT basis.
  3. Ofgem: typical domestic consumption values decision (PDF) ↗
  4. GOV.UK: Breathing space on your energy bill ↗
  5. Ofgem: list of all electricity licensees ↗Distribution network operators, one for each region.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →