Ofgem price cap April 2026: what it means for your gas and electricity bills
The April 2026 cap was set at 6.04p/kWh for gas and 24.50p/kWh for electricity. We break down what that means in pounds and pence.
Ofgem confirmed the energy price cap for Q2 2026 (April–June) in February. The headline unit rates are:
- Gas: 6.04p per kWh
- Electricity: 24.50p per kWh
- Standing charges: Gas 31.65p/day | Electricity 61.64p/day
What does that mean in annual bills?
For a typical household using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity per year, the cap implies an annual bill of around £1,690 — down from the peak of £2,500 seen in 2022–23 but still significantly above pre-crisis levels of roughly £1,100.
Who does the cap apply to?
The cap applies to all households in England, Wales and Scotland on standard variable tariffs. It does not apply to prepayment meters (which have a separate cap) or fixed-rate deals.
Will it fall further?
Analysts at Cornwall Insight forecast a further small reduction in July 2026, assuming wholesale prices remain stable. However, any resurgence in global gas demand — particularly from Asian LNG buyers — could push the cap back up in October.
How to pay less than the cap
Some suppliers offer fixed deals currently priced slightly below the cap. Octopus Energy's Agile tariff can beat it significantly for households with flexibility on when they use electricity. Check our electricity comparison for current offers.