Energy prices set to soar for millions of Britons from April

By Susanna Twidale

LONDON (Reuters) - Energy prices for millions of Britons will likely rise from April after the energy regulator said it would increase its cap on the most widely used tariffs by around 9.2%.

A cap on electricity and gas bills came into effect in January 2019 and was aimed at ending what former British Prime Minister Theresa May called "rip-off" prices by energy firms.

Regulator Ofgem said the rise was needed due to an increase in wholesale energy prices over the past few months and as energy suppliers would be allowed to begin recouping costs relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wholesale gas and electricity prices fell last year as measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus led to a shut down of much of the economy, leading to lower energy demand.

“Demand for energy has since recovered which has pushed wholesale prices back up to more normal levels,” Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said in a statement.

The cap for average annual consumption on the most common tariffs, used by around 11 million households, will rise by 96 pounds ($131) to 1,138 pounds, while for some 4 million homes on pre-payment energy meters it will rise by 87 pounds to 1,156 pounds a year.

Ofgem calculates the cap using a formula that includes wholesale gas prices, energy suppliers network costs and costs of government policies, such as renewable power subsidies.

Earlier this week Ofgem said it would include a provision worth 23.69 pounds in the latest cap level to enable suppliers to begin recouping costs relating to the coronavirus pandemic, such as money lost due to defaults on payments.

Brearley said despite the rise the price cap was likely to be saving customers around 100 pounds a year but said the best way to save the most money was by switching to a cheaper tariff.

($1 = 0.7312 pounds)

(Reporting by Susanna Twidale; editing by Jason Neely and Toby Chopra)