Will energy bills go up in January 2027?
Ofgem will announce the price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 on 25 November 2026. The current cap (1 October to 31 December 2026) is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household. Until Ofgem publishes that figure, Grid does not show a January 2027 cap. Source: Ofgem.
Ofgem figures as published · Next announcement 25 November 2026
Published Ofgem caps
Typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household. Each row is the figure Ofgem published, with the announcement date. Typical consumption values changed on 1 July 2026, so earlier pounds-per-year figures are not on the same basis as the current cap.
| Period | Typical dual-fuel DD | Announced | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March 2026 | £1,758 | 21 November 2025 | Ofgem, 21 November 2025 |
| 1 April to 30 June 2026 | £1,641 | 25 February 2026 | Ofgem, 25 February 2026 |
| 1 July to 30 September 2026 | £1,663 | 27 May 2026 | Ofgem, 27 May 2026 |
| 1 October to 31 December 2026 | £1,723 | 26 August 2026 | Ofgem, 26 August 2026 |
1 January to 31 March 2026: Typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household on the 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values.
1 April to 30 June 2026: Typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household on the 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values.
1 July to 30 September 2026: Ofgem restated Typical Domestic Consumption Values from 1 July 2026 (2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas). On the previous TDCV the same cap was presented as £1,862.
1 October to 31 December 2026: Current cap. Typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household on the 2026 Typical Domestic Consumption Values.
What Ofgem has not published
Ofgem announces the next cap, covering 1 January to 31 March 2027, on 25 November 2026. That page may appear earlier. Grid is not showing a January 2027 figure, and this page does not forecast one.
How the wholesale part is set
Ofgem updates the cap every quarter. The wholesale allowance follows observed wholesale prices in a defined observation window. Secondary sources put the window for the January 2027 cap at 19 August to 17 November 2026. Grid does not restate Ofgem's model.
GB gas SAP in that window
National Gas SAP averaged 6.38p/kWh (187.0 p/therm) over 65 published gas days from 19 Aug 2026 to 22 Oct 2026. Grid does not republish a separate NBP series. UK gas price.
What the cap does and does not cover
The current published cap (1 October to 31 December 2026) is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household. It limits unit rates and standing charges on default tariffs, not the total bill, and not a fixed deal you already signed. Official rates: Ofgem price cap unit rates and standing charges. Today's electricity mix: /today.
Questions
- How much is the price cap now?
- £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household (1 October to 31 December 2026). Source: Ofgem.
- When is the January 2027 price cap announced?
- Ofgem says it will announce the cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 on 25 November 2026. It may publish earlier. Grid shows only caps Ofgem has already published.
- What does the price cap limit?
- It limits the unit rates and standing charges a supplier can charge customers on a default tariff. It is not a cap on the total bill: using more energy costs more. Fixed tariffs are outside the cap.
- Why does the gas price affect electricity bills?
- The wholesale allowance in the cap follows observed wholesale prices, including gas. Gas-fired stations also often set the GB wholesale electricity price, so GB gas SAP is useful context. Grid does not forecast the next cap.
- Does the cap apply to fixed tariffs?
- No. The cap covers default (standard variable) tariffs paid by Direct Debit, standard credit or prepayment, including Economy 7. A fixed deal you already agreed is a contract, not the cap.