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Martin Lewis: Why are energy standing charges so high? What can be done
This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.
Read Martin's Martin Lewis: Why are energy standing charges so high? What can be done Blog.
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The one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the detrimental effect it has on the solar panel and feed in market, I seriously think the high standing charge exists to prevent anyone (e.g. a customer) from profiting from this market.5
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Some good news on this in the Ofgem open letter published today
They say they are going to "Reviewing operating costs, which form a significant component of standing charges"
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-sets-out-clear-expectations-energy-suppliers-financial-resilience-and-supporting-consumers
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There is a petition for this.....
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Petition 635530 with Parliament.....
Only 160 odd people signed.....0 -
Let us know how we can help......
As I've been complaining about this since last year......being a low user ....& having solar...0 -
Tony_H_3 said:The one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the detrimental effect it has on the solar panel and feed in market, I seriously think the high standing charge exists to prevent anyone (e.g. a customer) from profiting from this market.On the contrary, there are plenty of people making comfortable profits from their solar panels. Take a look in the "Green and Ethical" sub-forum.Here's an example from early April (not high summer) where one of the regulars was making almost £5 on a good day:
N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Shell (now TT) BB / Lebara mobi. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 33MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!0 -
All I know is that not long ago the standing charges were a minor thing.. 20p a day not long ago..And now they are not...Are you trying to tell us those costs have suddenly doubled?? I very much doubt it..So that means it's shear profiteering..9
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boatman said:Are you trying to tell us those costs have suddenly doubled?? I very much doubt it..So that means it's shear profiteering..
N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Shell (now TT) BB / Lebara mobi. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 33MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!2 -
boatman said:All I know is that not long ago the standing charges were a minor thing.. 20p a day not long ago..And now they are not...Are you trying to tell us those costs have suddenly doubled?? I very much doubt it..So that means it's shear profiteering..1
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Unfair to low users? So when its included in the unit rate, it will be unfair to family's. Family's will subsidise low use households, yet have the same connection, that too is unethical. If homes don't use any gas in the summer, and don't pay standing charge, how on earth is the grid going to be maintained, its would not be a family's fault some people are low users, why should they pay inflated unit costs so a house connected to the network can pay zero for the connection or maintenance of the supply. Only fair way is to have two unit rates, first x number at higher rate untill Standing charge is covered, and then the remaining are normal rate.2
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