Powergen New Prices from 31 03 06

mikemoate

E-mailed Powergen because I hadn't heard what the new prices for energy online was. Received the following reply.

"Prices have increased and customers are being notified by letter.

I have listed your new prices below which are in effect from 31/03/06.

Gas
First 1143 kWh per quarter (4572 p/a) 3.156p per kWh
All remaining kWh 2.510p per kWh

Electricity
First 225 kWh per quarter (900 p/a) 16.45p pkWh
All remaining units charged at 9.33p per kWh

If you have any further queries, please contact me on 0800 056 3747."

Contacted them because it wasn't clear if these prices include VAT. They tell me they do.

It's difficult to do a direct comparison because currently I pay a standing charge and all units at one price rather than a higher tarrif for initial units and lower for subsequent. However just taking the lower tariffs electricity is 6.93p and gas 1.82p. These seem like % increases of around 35 and 37%. I think I will be going elsewhere.

alared

I`m also with Pgen and have not heard anything from them.
How can they change you from a standing charge tariff to a non standing charge without even consulting you?

Did they give you anything about econ 7 off peak electric rates?

mikemoate

Not on Economy 7 so it didn't arise. Did 'phone them because the prices they quote are different to those for energy online on the switch sites. Looks like they are going down the same route as npower and giving new sign ups beneficial rates. Looks like it's going to be a case of switching, as a minimum, every 12 months.

Woby_Tide

If these new figures are correct then going by the figures on the comparison sites Dual Energy Online now charges the same for Gas as it's standard tarrif and charges more online for Electric than the STandard tarrif

Powergen standard tarrif rates

Electricity Unit Costs (incl. VAT)

Primary Units15.1300 pence per kWhHow many at primary rate900 per annumSecondary units9.0400 pence per kWh

Gas Unit Costs (incl. VAT)

Primary Units3.1560 pence per kWhHow many at primary rate4572 per annumSecondary units2.5100 pence per kWh

On my usage that now makes my annual bill over £1k, npower according to the comparisons is £720

Cardew

Woby_Tide wrote:

If these new figures are correct

---

charges more online for Electric than the STandard tarrif

Don't forget that Electricity charges vary considerably according to the area of the country in which you live.

The OP's charges might not apply to you.

tightrs

aletter has finally arrived with my new prices
primary electric;14.57p/kwh, sec electric8.90p/kwh
primary gas 3.156p/kwh,sec gas 2.510p/kwh
these prices include vat
then the letter goes on to say i get a 9%discount for taking gas and electric by monthly direct debit and an extra 2% off for managing my acount online
and no standing charge

Katykat

I have just rung powergen to ask why my son was being charged much more than me per units used ( they.ve made a right b***s up of his bills) and they've informed me that its because I am on Energyonline and get "massive" discounts . Then went on to tell me that they have now changed the energyonline prices, scrapped the standing charge, and are now paying the same rate as standard tariff. SO whats happened to the "massive" discounts? I asked if they publish their tariffs on the website and was told "of course". But I cant find it. All the site tells me is to look on my bill for current charges. Well I've had a bill this week, and it only gives the old charges. I really feel I should change supplier, but I'm sure the others would be just as frustrating. Incidentally, I couldn't get through to powergen ( surprize ) so after holding on for ! HOUR AND 40 MINS, I phoned Energywatch and they gave me a different freephone number and powergen answered on the 3rd ring. It's 0800 015 1809

mikemoate

You really should consider changing supplier. Now that Powergen have put up their energy online prices, and for customers who have been on this tarrif prior to Dec 05 the rise is phenomonenal, there are big savings to be made by switching. Don't let them get away with it.

Cardew

mikemoate wrote:

there are big savings to be made by switching.

But for how long will these savings last?

This forum is full of post from people who swop suppliers only to find their new company's tariff leapfrogs their old tariff.

The financial sections of newspapers indicate who have had the consistently best interest rates on their savings accounts. It is a pity we couldn’t find out who offers the consistently cheapest gas/electricity rates.

mikemoate

Cardew wrote:

But for how long will these savings last?

This forum is full of post from people who swop suppliers only to find their new company's tariff leapfrogs their old tariff.

The financial sections of newspapers indicate who have had the consistently best interest rates on their savings accounts. It is a pity we couldn’t find out who offers the consistently cheapest gas/electricity rates.

I switched for the first time in June '04. I had previously been with BG and Manweb and did make a big saving. Went to Powergen online and to tell the truth haven't really had a problem with them, apart from erratic billing periods and lack of meter reads (still because of being online was always able to submit upto date and correct reads). I have always since kept a check on the switching sites and Powergen have always been there or there abouts price wise. As previously said the increase this time is in the region of 35%, seems online customers have been somewhat cushioned in previous price rises. Looking at the switching sites I can save about £250 per annum by switching now. Quite honestly I don't mind spending 5 minutes of my time every month or so checking the switching sites, and I have to switch again, I will.

Incidentally one unexpected bonus in terms of switching is that Powergen do not apply the current prices during the switching period if you notify them within 14 days of receiving the price rise letter. This gives you cheaper fuel for another 4 to 6 weeks. Powergen did confirm this when I rang them up to tell them I was switching.

Annando

Had a "lovely" letter from Pgen this morning (what a wonderful way to start the weekend!) stating that my gas and electricity prices went up since yesterday!
Just called to make them aware that only got letter this morning, 24 hours after the rise took effect (GRRR!).
I always feel like they are so obscure, apparently the new prices, which are so much higher than the last prices I have, are better because you are not paying a standing charge. They explained it to me by saying ..."well, if you have a property in which you only live 2 days per month, you were paying a standing charge while not using a meter, so effectively this new price is fairer..."
How many of us own (and can afford) a property in which we only live 2 days a month?
The other thing they said was Energy Online customers get 11% discount on their energy usage, and that the more you use the more money you save (Yes...their own words!!!)

So now I have a weekend program, first check other suppliers and switch ASAP, and then follow Powergen's advice and:

1-Buy second property that I will only use 2 days a month, so I can save money on the standing charge

2-Change all light bulbis to normal instead of economy ones, switch all lights on, leave CH on 24hrs/day, and bake and cook all day as well...I really want to save money with their 11% discount!!!