Why do energy rates usually change?

Energy travels through four main stages on its journey from generation to the point where you turn on a switch. Each stage incurs costs that are passed on to you via your energy bill. It is changes in these four main areas that generally influence energy rate changes. These include:

• Wholesale costs – to purchase electricity and gas from generators and producers
• Network costs – charged by distributors for energy transmission, metering and maintenance of the pipes, poles and wires that delivers your energy
• Retail costs – charged by us for servicing and billing your account
• Other costs – incurred by us to comply with government schemes such as the Renewable Energy Target

To find out more, take a look at our video, 'How energy gets to you'