Welcome to Our Weekly Newsletter!
At Energy Costs Managed, we are energy consultants focused on helping businesses take a more strategic and informed approach to energy procurement.
Wholesale energy prices have moved higher this week. However, a more significant issue for many businesses is not the wholesale market itself, but how energy contracts are managed.
A large proportion of overspending continues to result from avoidable procurement decisions rather than actual consumption.
Insight of the Week:
It’s not just what you pay-it’s how you buy.
While energy suppliers prices have eased slightly over recent weeks, underlying market risk remains, particularly around gas supply and longer-term pricing.
We continue to see businesses fall into the same avoidable patterns:
- Locking in contracts at suboptimal points in the market cycle
- Missing short-term pricing opportunities
- Being moved onto expensive out-of-contract or default rates without realising
Wholesale Energy Prices
Wholesale prices have increased across all key contract periods this week. This movement has been driven in part by continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which are creating uncertainty around global LNG supply routes and broader market stability.
If you would like to understand how current market conditions may impact your business or discuss your upcoming renewal, please get in touch with our team to arrange a review.
Week to date (23rd April to 30th April 2026)
Gas Prices for June 2026 increased from 109.330p per therm to 112.880p per therm
September 26 - increased from 109.280p per therm to 113.040p per therm
December 26 - increased from 113.680p per therm to 117.680p per therm
March 2027 - increased from 105.190p per therm to 109.640p per therm
Power Prices for June 2026 increased from £91.70 per mwh to £93.120 per mwh
September 2026 - increased from £92.50 per mwh to £94.040 per mwh
December 2026 - increased from £95.48 per mwh to £98.630 per mwh
March 2027 - increased from £91.92 per mwh to £95.410 per mwh
Please note that due to the ongoing volatility of wholesale energy prices, Energy Costs Managed cannot guarantee the accuracy of the above figures. These prices are intended as a visual guide to reflect current market trends and should not be taken as financial advice.
Topic of The Week:
How UK Businesses Waste Money on Energy Contracts
Many businesses assume high energy costs are unavoidable, but in reality, a significant proportion of overspending results from avoidable procurement decisions.
The most common issues include being placed onto expensive default or out-of-contract rates, fixing contracts at the wrong time, and failing to review agreements regularly. In addition, hidden costs within pricing structures are often overlooked, and new premises are frequently left without properly secured contracts.
This means that overpaying is often a procurement issue rather than a consumption issue.
To reduce unnecessary costs, businesses should begin reviewing contracts 6–12 months before renewal, avoid rollover rates where possible, focus on total cost rather than headline unit rates, and take a more proactive approach to energy procurement.
Week Ahead
Weather is expected to remain relatively mild, which should help keep energy demand below seasonal norms.
Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty continues to influence gas markets and add a layer of price pressure.
Despite some short-term stability, volatility is expected to persist.
From the Energy Hub
A deeper look at where businesses go wrong in sourcing and managing energy supply contracts and how to avoid it.
Quick Take
Energy prices may fluctuate, but poor contract decisions often have a greater long-term impact. Timing and procurement strategy remain just as important as market conditions.
