Britain's energy, explained.
See how Britain is being powered, understand what energy costs and make better decisions about tariffs, solar panels, heat pumps, EV charging and your home.
What do you want to do?
Start with a bill, technology or household decision and we'll take you to the relevant figures, guidance and tools.
How Britain is being powered now
See the latest available electricity demand, generation mix, carbon intensity and transfers for Great Britain.
Current electricity demand
26.9 GW
Renewable share
68.8%
Low-carbon share
88.0%
Carbon intensity
59 gCO₂/kWh
LowNet imports
1.43 GW
Electricity generation by source
Includes 0.64 GW that Elexon reports as other generation
Figures cover Great Britain and may be delayed. Generation totals cover named sources; Elexon’s “other” category is reported separately beneath the breakdown. Demand is generation plus net imports and storage. Read the methodology for full definitions and calculations.
Sources: Elexon BMRS · NESO · Status: live · Observation: 00:40 UK time · Coverage: Great Britain
What does energy cost today?
Ofgem price cap · 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026 · Direct Debit, single-rate electricity, Ofgem average rates including VAT.
Electricity
Unit rate
26.32p/kWh
Standing charge
54.83p/day
Gas
Unit rate
7.97p/kWh
Standing charge
29.68p/day
Typical annual bill at capped rates
£1,723
October 2026 - December 2026 · 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026
Ofgem's published dual-fuel figure for a household using typical amounts of energy (2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas a year). The price cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill. The more energy you use, the more you pay.
Explore UK energy
Understand the technologies, prices and services that affect household energy use and bills.
Solar now: 0.0 GW · 00:40
Solar panels
Costs, savings, roof suitability, batteries and export tariffs.
Explore →Heat pumps
Installation costs, grants, efficiency, radiators and home suitability.
Explore →Home energy
Insulation, heating, hot water, smart controls and ways to reduce consumption.
Explore →Electric vehicles
Home chargers, public charging, electricity tariffs, grants and solar charging.
Explore →p/kWh, GB average, inc. VAT. Octopus Go is an EV tariff.
Energy tariffs
Fixed, variable, tracker, time-of-use and other household tariff types.
Explore →Overall score out of 5 · Citizens Advice, April to June 2026
Energy suppliers
Compare suppliers, customer service, switching rules and consumer protections.
Explore →Capped gas price history
Oil and gas
Heating oil, household gas, fuel costs, safety, UK supply and alternatives.
Explore →Calculate and compare
Use your own figures to estimate costs, then compare the practical and financial differences between common household energy choices.
Popular calculators
Solar panel calculator
Estimate solar generation and savings from your postcode.
Heat pump calculator
Estimate heat pump running costs from four questions.
Energy-bill calculator
Estimate annual electricity and gas costs.
Appliance-cost calculator
Estimate the cost of running an appliance.
Find EV chargers near me
Charging points, speeds and connectors near a postcode.
EV charging calculator
Charging time, cost and range for your car.
Everyday energy costs
Quick answers using labelled example figures. Change any of them, or open the full calculator for more detail.
What does your tea habit cost?
About £13 a year
Electricity only, at 26.32p/kWh (price cap, 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026). Boiling only the water you need. Tea, milk and water bills not included.
Change assumptions
What does a 10-minute shower cost?
About 39.5p per shower
About £144 a year if daily
Electricity only, at 26.32p/kWh (price cap, 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026). Electric showers only. Water and sewerage charges are extra, and gas-heated showers cost differently.
Change assumptions
What does your tumble dryer cost each year?
About £103 a year
About 65.8p a load
Electricity only, at 26.32p/kWh (price cap, 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026). Heat-pump dryers usually use much less.
Change assumptions
What does an electric heater cost to run?
About 94.8p a day
About 3.6 kWh a day
Electricity only, at 26.32p/kWh (price cap, 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026). Assumes a thermostat runs it at full power 60% of the time.
Change assumptions
What would 100 miles cost in an EV?
About £8.53 for 100 miles
About 32 kWh at 26.3p/kWh
Electricity only, including charging losses. Parking, subscriptions and connection fees not included.
Change assumptions
Efficiency 3.43 miles/kWh from our car database. Charging losses: 10% AC, 7% rapid.
Could a battery save money without solar?
Example only
About £434 a year
for a 5 kWh battery with Octopus Go rates
Octopus Go is for electric-car drivers, so this is an illustration, not an estimate for your home. 2,500 kWh a year, mainly evening use.
Change assumptions
5 kWh usable, 3 kW, 90% round-trip efficiency. Change these in the full calculator.
Compare your options
Energy where you live
Enter your postcode to see regional capped rates, local carbon intensity, your electricity network operator and nearby renewable-energy projects.
- Regional carbon intensity
- Local capped rates
- Cleanest time to use electricity
- Network operator
- Nearby renewable projects