New: The MSE Forum 'Ask An Expert' event

MSE_Laura_F

Next week, there'll be a special 'Ask An Expert' event here on the MSE Forum. Gary and Andrew from MSE's Utilities team will be around to answer your energy questions.

Questions will open from Tuesday at 12pm. We'll let you know where to post when the time comes.

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In the meantime, please get thinking of your energy-related questions.

--- UPDATE: TUE 9 AUG, 12PM ---

The Ask An Expert event is now open for questions. Please visit the dedicated board to post your energy queries any time until 5pm Wednesday. MSE Gary & MSE Andrew will be answering lots of them on Thursday.

I_luv_cats

Can anybody explain why energy prices are going up so dramatically ?

Why should customers pay £94 on their bills when regulation failures allow un-hedged suppliers to enter the market and going bust when selling under-cost??

In the past there were 'white label' energy providers but they seemed to have vanished. The unit prices were top-loaded but least there were no standing-charges, so low users bills were more economical. 

digitallife555

As we have the mother-in-law permanently living with us now, would we be able to claim the pensioners discount to help with these rising costs?

bobjukes

I’m currently with edf who boast that 34% of their energy is from renewable sources so why do their prices rise so much surely that 34% should not be included in any increase

KeithP

bobjukes said:

I’m currently with edf who boast that 34% of their energy is from renewable sources so why do their prices rise so much surely that 34% should not be included in any increase

Are the wholesale prices of energy derived from renewable resources not increasing then?

gbhxu

KeithP said:

bobjukes said:

I’m currently with edf who boast that 34% of their energy is from renewable sources so why do their prices rise so much surely that 34% should not be included in any increase

Are the wholesale prices of energy derived from renewable resources not increasing then?

They shouldn't be. After all, wind and sunshine are free.


Question - How will the Warm Home Discount be allocated this year?

InvesterJones

We've been told we'll receive a discount of £66/67 off monthly direct debits from October. What happens if monthly DDs are less than £66 in the first place (due to the account having excess credit)?

edit: oops, this isn't the place for questions, sorry. Will keep an eye out.

QrizB

gbhxu said:

KeithP said:

bobjukes said:

I’m currently with edf who boast that 34% of their energy is from renewable sources so why do their prices rise so much surely that 34% should not be included in any increase

Are the wholesale prices of energy derived from renewable resources not increasing then?

They shouldn't be. After all, wind and sunshine are free.

Consider this.

You grow potatoes - gbhxu's authentic organic backyard potatoes - in your back garden and sell them at your local Farmers Market. It costs you around 60p to grow each bag of potatoes.

Next to your stall there's one run by Big Potato, a major national potato grower.

Two years ago, Big Potato were selling their potatoes for 65p a bag. You find that, while there are a few people willing to pay a bit more for gbhxu's authentic organic backyard potatoes, most people aren't willing to offer you more for your potatoes than the price asked by Big Potato, so you sell most of your potatoes for 65p a bag too. You only make a tiny profit at that price.

Last year, Big Potato had to pay more for their fertiliser than usual and were selling their potatoes at £1 a bag. You still couldn't find many buyers who were willing to pay extra for your artisanal potatoes but were happy to sell at the same £1 a bag as Big Potato.

This year, Big Potato have had to pay far more for fertiliser than before and they are selling their potatoes for £2.50 a bag. You haven't had to buy fertiliser and you can still make a decent profit at £1 a bag.

• Do you advertise your potatoes for £1 a bag, or for £2.50?
• You advertise your potatoes for £1 a bag. Big Potato offer to buy them all at that price. You think they intend to then re-sell them for £2.50 a bag. Do you sell to them for £1 or do you put your price up to £2.50?

Wind turbines can generate electricity for around £60/MWh. Before the current energy crisis, the long-term average wholesale price for electricity was about £65/MWh. Last August, wholesale electricity was around £100/MWh. This year, it's more like £250/MWh. How muc do you expect the owners of the wind turbines to sell their electricity for?

(Before anyone asks, Big Potato did not pay me to write this post.)

ditzyknit

We are with EDF who are being nationalised later this year. What does this mean for us? Will the costs reduce, increase, or is there potential for them to go bust?

Neil1471

I've read the article from Martin about utility warehouse and the fact their fixed rates seem around 20% cheaper than anything else on the market. But Martin also says..look out, it's a network marketing company. I'm trying to work out what the relevance is to a future customer that the company is involved in network marketing. Without the 'business opportunity' side of it, are they not just another utilities supplier.? Who, for now, seem to be much cheaper than anyone else.

jan_altus

From a purely calorific perspective, isn't natural gas likely to see a massive price hike whilst electricity prices will rise less rapidly?

I have gas central heating, hot water and cooking.  Is it worthwhile me keeping the central heating switched off and buying electric fires to heat the house and use microwaves and electric hobs to cook on this forthcoming winter? 

Average annual consumption is:
Gas.          17,700 kWh
Electricity   3,200 kWh