Energy websites crash ahead of huge price jump
ENERGY websites appeared to falter as customers rushed to submit meter readings before today’s price jump.
The issues – which appeared to be an industry-wide problem – came as experts urged householders to submit meter readings for gas and electricity to their supplier on yesterday to show exactly how much energy they have used ahead of Ofgem’s price cap increasing from April 1.
This will prevent firms from estimating usage and potentially charging for energy used before April 1 at the higher rate.
A message on the British Gas website told customers it was facing “some technical issues we’re trying to resolve as quickly as possible”.
The message said customers could still submit readings but warned it could take “a little time to update your account with the meter reading you provided today”.
EDF Energy’s website also reported problems, apparently as many people tried to submit their meter readings on their account.
The main page of EDF Energy was working, but when customers clicked through to the MyAccount page they were unable to log in.
E.On also seemed to be facing issues with letting customers log in to their accounts, while customers of So Energy reported that they were unable to either log in or get through on customer helplines.
According to Downdetector, E.On, Scottish Power, British Gas and SSE have gone down.
Households see the biggest rise in the cost of energy in living memory today when bills increase by 54%, or almost £700, to just under £2,000 a year.
Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: “If you’re struggling to pay your bill, speak to your energy provider as they have to help you. Citizens Advice can also provide you with free, independent support.”
The energy price cap for those on default tariffs who pay by direct debit is rising by £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 from April 1.
Prepayment customers will see a bigger jump, with their price cap going up by £708, from £1,309 to £2,017.
The regulator was forced to hike the energy price cap to a record £1,971 for a typical household as gas prices soared to unprecedented highs.
Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) warned the cost of heating an average home has now doubled in 18 months, leaving 6.5 million households unable to live in a warm safe home across the UK.
NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: “This is the biggest energy price shock in living memory.
“Millions of people will be priced out of adequate levels of heating and power. For all the anticipation of these price rises, many people on the lowest incomes will be crushed by the reality.
“Quality of life for millions of people will plummet.”
An Ofgem spokeswoman said: “We know this rise will be extremely worrying for many people.
“The energy market has faced a huge challenge due to the unprecedented increase in global gas prices, a once in a 30-year event, and Ofgem’s role as energy regulator is to ensure that, under the price cap, energy companies can only charge a fair price based on the true cost of supplying electricity and gas.
“Ofgem is working to stabilise the market and over the longer term to diversify our sources of energy which will help protect customers from similar price shocks in the future.”