Securing great deals starts with understanding the wholesale energy market. On the surface, it can seem quite complicated but this guide breaks it down so you can understand how it works and how it can help you save money.
What is Wholesale Energy?
Wholesale energy is purchased in bulk by suppliers to resell for a profit. Many distributors are not set up to deal with customers directly. A supplier steps in to manage the billing, customer service and meters. The costs added to the original wholesale costs of your energy are things like operating costs and a percentage of profit.
Average Wholesale Energy Prices By Year
|
Year |
Electricity Price (p/therm) | Gas Price (p/therm) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 66.15 | 70.56 |
| 2023 | 97.30 | 99.22 |
| 2022 | 211.84 | 211.49 |
| 2021 | 127.46 | 115.89 |
| 2020 | 36.93 | 24.80 |
| 2019 | 43.74 | 34.71 |
| 2018 | 58.23 | 60.35 |
| 2017 | 46.31 | 45.05 |
How the Wholesale Energy Market Affects Your Bill
If you rent or own a property in the UK, you’ll have heard about the rise in wholesale energy prices. Accounting for up to 40% of your overall bill, wholesale costs are a key issue and if you’re looking to save money, it helps to understand how it all works. It doesn't stop at your home. Despite not being impacted by the price cap, business energy is impacted by wholesale energy costs.
In this complete guide, we explain what wholesale energy prices are covering how the wholesale market works and how it affects your bill. We’ll also give an account of current market conditions and wholesale prices per kWh.
What Affects Wholesale Energy Prices?
Like any product, energy is subject to changes in supply and demand. Suppliers buy much of the energy we use in advance. Energy bought in advance is often sold at different prices. This is known as hedging.
Hedging allows energy companies to reduce changes in the price of gas and electricity. The practice protects you from big jumps in your energy bills. But what causes these changes in wholesale energy prices? Below are some of the main factors that drive prices up and down.
Gas supply
At one time, the UK generated all its own gas needs, but the North Sea reserves have diminished in recent years. To keep an adequate gas supply, the UK now imports large amounts of natural gas. As a result, it must pay as much as EU countries to secure gas through European pipelines.
Relying on the EU means the UK is exposed to European gas shortages. When pipelines or gas fields in Europe go offline, wholesale energy prices across the continent spike.
Sustainability of the energy source
For the first time in 2019, renewable energy provided power to more properties than fossil fuel energy sources. This trend looks likely to continue given the government’s commitments to seeking a low-carbon economy.
Renewable energy is sustainable. Many hope it will stabilise energy markets as well as be better for the environment. However, for now, wholesale energy prices are still often based on the availability of fossil fuels.
Changes in currency value
Wholesale energy prices are also influenced by the Pound’s strength against the Euro. When the Pound is stronger, gas and electricity prices fall. When the Euro is stronger, the prices the UK pays will increase.
Temperature
A lot of energy is used for heating. So, when temperatures are higher, demand goes down. This reduces the cost of wholesale energy. These prices are often linked to forecasts as wholesale energy is bought in advance.
Carbon tax
Energy providers have been pushed to meet carbon emissions targets. Charges are applied to companies based on the amount of carbon dioxide they use. Energy suppliers that fall behind carbon targets will need to pay a higher price. These increases can harm the broader market by encouraging increases in selling prices.
Global Events
Wholesale energy prices are often affected by global events. Conflicts or natural disasters in countries that produce gas or oil can have a big impact. UK markets are vulnerable to these changes because they are so reliant on imports.
Does the wholesale market affect renewable sources?
When markets change significantly it usually places stress on other parts of the industry.
With a higher demand for gas and electricity, the wholesale cost of renewable energy will also increase. The closer the UK moves towards low-carbon heating and starts to generate electricity, the less reliant we are on the wholesale market and the less vulnerable to price changes.
Should you switch energy suppliers?
Even if you’re not directly affected by wholesale costs, it’s always worth comparing energy prices. Some energy suppliers make better strategic purchases than others. That can trickle down to allow suppliers to offer more competitive pricing.
If you’re on a variable rate tariff, you should monitor your unit rates. If your prices increase, you may be able to switch to a cheaper deal.