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Scottish & Southern Energy Raises Prices
Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is to raise its domestic energy prices by an average of 14.2% for electricity, and by 15.8% for gas.
Scottish & Southern Energy is the last of the big six energy suppliers to announce price rises since the start of the year, SSE said the increases would come into effect from 1 April.
Npower, EDF Energy, British Gas, Scottish Power and E.On have already increased their own prices this year.
Like all its competitors, Scottish & Southern Energy has blamed the sharp rise in wholesale energy prices.
Uneasy Markets to blame
"Energy supply in the UK is changing dramatically, with companies having to operate in volatile markets, which reflect depletion of North Sea oil and gas fields, soaring global demand for all types of energy and over $100 a barrel for oil," said SSE's energy supply director Alistair Phillips-Davies.
"These pressures are compounded by the rising transmission, distribution and environmental costs which suppliers have to meet.
"You cannot resist indefinitely the impact of these issues and I am sorry that all of this has culminated in the price rises we are announcing today."
SSE said in January that it would not lift its prices until at least April.
Since the start of the year, Npower has put prices up for its electricity customers by 12.7% and gas prices rose by 17.2%. EDF put up electricity tariffs by 7.9% and gas prices by 12.9%.
British Gas increased gas and electricity prices by 15%. Scottish Power increased gas bills by 15% and electricity bills by 14%, and E.On put up gas bills by 15% and electricity tariffs by 9.7%.
Regulator Ofgem announced last month that it was launching an inquiry into the UK's electricity and gas markets.
Customer watchdog Energywatch says this has to bring benefits for consumers.
"In recent weeks the energy market has been the subject of announcements regarding parliamentary inquiries, regulatory probes, full-scale network reviews, fuel poverty summits and Budget threats," said Adam Scorer, Energywatch director of campaigns.
"The energy market, and the value it provides for consumers, is under unprecedented scrutiny and consumers need these inquiries to deliver significant improvements to make the energy market work for consumers."
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