EDF puts up gas bills by 15%

Average electricity tariffs will also rise by 4.5% in changes that will come into effect on November 10 and reflect rising wholesale energy, network and other costs.

EDF’s decision means that all of the big six power suppliers have now raised their tariffs for the coming winter.

Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy, said it had been able to delay the decision longer than its rivals because of its sourcing of nuclear energy, but added that it must “reluctantly” now pass some of these higher costs through to consumers.

EDF said the higher charges will add about 33p a day to a dual-fuel bill, while the annual cost of a standard dual-fuel bill paid for by direct debit will rise to £1,165 against £1,051 previously.

The firm added that even with higher charges it will be the cheapest major supplier of dual fuel and claimed that by delaying its increase by three months customers could have saved £30 compared to Scottish Power, the first of the big six to raise tariffs this year.

Mr Rivaz added: “Unlike some other suppliers we have been able to give protection to our customers, particularly for their electricity consumption, because of our choice to invest in low carbon nuclear generation, which enjoys stable costs compared to gas and coal and has had a strong performance this year.”

Mr Rivaz also said EDF would welcome a Competition Commission inquiry if it helped clear up some of the “widespread lack of understanding and suspicion of the industry as a whole, among the public, customers in general, politicians, regulators and others”.

He added: “If a Competition Commission inquiry is necessary to build this trust, then it is a step that should be taken. We would welcome the opportunity to explore all the issues fully and openly. As a fair company, we have nothing to hide.”