The latest tariff data from Cornwall Insight – Pixie Energy’s parent company – reveals a considerable variation between energy tariffs in northern Scotland compared to that of southern Scotland.
The graph above shows the cheapest available deals for three tariff types – fixed, standard variable (SV) and prepayment (PPM) – for the average* mains gas-heated households in Scotland. It illustrates a marked difference between all the tariff types in the north compared to that of the south of Scotland.
Neil Mearns, analyst at Pixie Energy, said, “There is a clear and substantial disparity across Scotland on the cost of various types of tariff, with residents in the northern half of Scotland being charged significantly more than the rest of the country. In fact, data from Cornwall Insight shows the annual Prepayment Meter (PPM) tariff bills are nearly £100 more expensive in the northern distribution region of Scotland compared to its southern counterpart.
“This disparity is not only reserved for those on PPM customers, with the cheapest SV tariff following a similar trend, being £68 p.a. more expensive in the north of Scotland. This is, in part, due to higher distribution charges imposed in the north.
“It is not all doom and gloom, with fixed tariffs priced more consistently throughout Scotland than the rest of GB. However, northern Scottish residents are still required to be more engaged with the market just to be on the same level playing field as the rest of Scotland.”
*defined by Ofgem as the mean annual electricity use of 3,585kWh and mean yearly gas use of 15,280kWh.