REGIONAL PRICE CAP · DIRECT DEBIT

Energy prices in Northern Scotland (October–December 2026)

In Northern Scotland, the price cap from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 is 26.35p per kWh for electricity with a 55.14p daily standing charge, and 7.87p per kWh for gas with a 29.87p daily standing charge.

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

ELECTRICITY

26.35pper kWh + 55.14p a day

GAS

7.87pper kWh + 29.87p a day

TYPICAL DUAL FUEL

£1,717a year at Ofgem typical use

REGIONAL RANK

6 of 141 = lowest typical dual-fuel cost

How Northern Scotland compares with the GB average

At Ofgem’s typical use, a dual-fuel Direct Debit household in Northern Scotland would pay £1,717 a year under the cap: £7 less than the GB average of £1,724. That is 6th lowest of the 14 regions.

Northern Scotland compared with the GB average, October–December 2026Direct Debit. Rank 1 is the lowest of 14 regions.
ChargeNorthern ScotlandGB averageDifferenceRank
Electricity unit rate (p/kWh)26.3526.320.036
Electricity standing charge (p/day)55.1454.830.317
Gas unit rate (p/kWh)7.877.97-0.103
Gas standing charge (p/day)29.8729.680.1910
Typical dual-fuel cost (£/year)£1,717£1,724−£76

Annual cost at typical use

Ofgem’s typical use is 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year. At Northern Scotland’s cap rates that is £860 for electricity and £857 for gas, or £1,717 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 × 26.35p = £658.75365 × 55.14p = £201.26£860.01
Gas9,500 kWh × 7.87p = £747.65365 × 29.87p = £109.03£856.68
Dual fuel£1,716.69

Who runs the network in Northern Scotland

The Northern Scotland price-cap region is the area served by Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SSEN), the electricity distribution network operator. It covers places such as Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Perth. 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 £43.00 a year in Northern Scotland. About the electricity VAT cut →

Frequently asked questions

What is the electricity price per kWh in Northern Scotland?

Under the price cap from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026, electricity in Northern Scotland costs up to 26.35p per kWh with a standing charge of 55.14p a day, for a Direct Debit customer on a single-rate meter (0% VAT this period). That is 0.03p more than the GB average unit rate.

What is the gas price per kWh in Northern Scotland?

Gas in Northern Scotland costs up to 7.87p per kWh with a 29.87p daily standing charge under the cap, including 5% VAT, for Direct Debit customers.

Who runs the electricity network in Northern Scotland?

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (part of SSEN) is the distribution network operator for the Northern Scotland 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 Northern Scotland price-cap region?

The region is the Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution licence area, which includes Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Perth. 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) ↗Northern Scotland 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 →