| TL;DR: The Ofgem price cap is a national average set across 14 regional distribution areas. Your postcode, not your supplier, decides the unit rates and standing charges you pay. Last reviewed July 2026 |
| ENERGY : REGIONAL PRICE CAP |
The Ofgem energy price cap is a national average, but it is actually set across 14 regional distribution areas. The unit rates and standing charges a household pays are decided by postcode, not by the supplier, so two homes on the same tariff can pay different rates depending on region.
KEY FACTS
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Why there are 14 caps, not one
Ofgem sets a separate cap for each of the 14 distribution regions of Great Britain because network and distribution charges, the cost of moving energy through local cables and pipes, differ from region to region.
Sparsely populated regions and those far from generation cost more to serve, so their unit rates and standing charges are higher.
The national average for July to September 2026
The widely quoted figures are national averages. For 1 July to 30 September 2026 the average electricity rate is 26.11p per kWh with a 57.19p daily standing charge, and the average gas rate is 7.33p per kWh with a 29.04p daily standing charge.
From 1 July the cap rose by about 13%, with gas rising more than electricity. Each of the 14 regional figures averages back to these national numbers.
How rates changed from April to July 2026
The table below shows the Great Britain average unit rates and standing charges for direct debit customers, comparing the previous cap period with the current one. Figures include VAT at 5% and are published by Ofgem.
| Direct debit, GB average | 1 Apr to 30 Jun 2026 | 1 Jul to 30 Sep 2026 |
| Electricity unit rate | 24.67p per kWh | 26.11p per kWh |
| Electricity standing charge | 57.21p per day | 57.19p per day |
| Gas unit rate | 5.74p per kWh | 7.33p per kWh |
| Gas standing charge | 29.09p per day | 29.04p per day |
Ofgem publishes the unit rate and standing charge for every region and payment method. The national headline is also quoted as £1,862 a year under Ofgem's earlier consumption values and £1,663 under the values updated on 1 July 2026; the unit rates are the same in both cases. Find the figures for your area using the regional tables on the Ofgem price cap page linked in the sources.
How region changes what you pay
Your supplier charges the rate for your region, decided by postcode rather than by where the supplier is based. Standing charges vary most between regions.
London has the lowest electricity standing charge, while the northern English regions and Merseyside carry the highest. On total annual cost, London, Eastern and the South East sit among the lowest.
Where to find your regional rate
Your distribution region can be read from your latest energy bill. Ofgem also publishes regional unit rate and standing charge tables for each cap period.
Once you know your region, you can compare it against the tariffs available there rather than relying on the national headline figure.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a separate energy market and is not covered by the Great Britain price cap. Rates there are set under different arrangements.
| Note: The cap resets every three months; the rates above apply to 1 July to 30 September 2026. Check ofgem.gov.uk for the current regional figures before relying on them. |
| RELATED GUIDES |
| Disclaimer: Kael Tripton Ltd is an independent editorial publisher, ICO-registered (ZC135439). This guide is general information, not financial, legal or energy-broking advice, and carries no commission or referral arrangement. Rates and figures are correct as at the review date; verify current figures with the primary sources listed before acting. |
Frequently asked questions
Is the energy price cap the same across the UK?
No. Ofgem sets 14 regional caps for Great Britain, and your rate depends on your distribution region, set by postcode. Northern Ireland is not covered.
Why do two homes on the same tariff pay different rates?
Because unit rates and standing charges vary by regional distribution and network costs, which differ across the 14 regions.
Which region has the cheapest energy?
For the July to September 2026 cap, London, Eastern and the South East sit among the lowest total costs, while Merseyside and northern regions sit higher.
How do I find my regional cap?
Read your distribution region from your latest bill, or use Ofgem's regional unit rate and standing charge tables.
| SOURCES |
