Tuesday, 1 September 2026
UK power firms sharply as nuclear outages and rising gas collide at summer/winter turn
Prices rising sharply2027 wholesale: £84.48/MWh
Energy prices are noticeably higher than usual right now, mainly because several large power stations have gone offline for maintenance at the same time that gas — the fuel used to make most of our electricity — has become significantly more expensive. Expect prices to stay elevated over the next couple of weeks, especially as the weather turns cooler and heating demand begins to pick up heading into autumn.
What's affecting prices
- •Around 2,500 MW of power station outages hitting this week — less electricity being made
- •Gas prices have jumped sharply after a North Sea gas field went offline for repairs
- •Winter 2026 energy contracts have risen over 20% during August alone
- •Temperatures edging above normal at start of September, keeping some cooling demand alive
- •European gas stores healthy but any further supply disruption could push prices higher still
Wholesale pricing based on ICE forward settlements; non-commodity charges from NESO, LCCC, Ofgem and DNO publications. Indicative only — not financial advice.