Paul Seyr
For several months now, citizens of the UK are struggling to live. This is as a result of increasing cost of living, something which some people attributes to the conflict in Ukraine. Now the question is what makes British gas profits soar in situations like this?
According to ITV News’ Joel Hills, British Gas’ revenues have increased by £969 million as a result of the UK’s increased energy price caps. The parent company of British Gas has revealed that half-year profits for its UK household supply arm, are up by a record breaking 900%.
Bill-payers are upset by reports that the company was able to achieve record profits. They link it increases in the UK’s energy price cap. This gave the company a lift of about £500 million.
Revenue from its retail supplier division increased by 889% in the six months ending June 30, compared to the same period last year. This brings in £969 million in profits. Owner of company, Centrica, discloses.
It said that the outcome was helped by Ofgem’s price restriction in the first half of the year. This capped customers’ annual bills to £2,500 under the Energy Price Guarantee. This allowed the firm to make up roughly £500 million in losses from the previous year.
However, this has not gone down well with UK citizens who have been paying more for gas amidst economy crisis. Consumers are upset and are questioning why bills are high while the providers are raking in a record breaking profits.
Since wholesale prices increased as a result of the hostilities in Ukraine, energy companies’ profit margins have suffered.
Despite a dramatic decline in the price of oil and natural gas, the energy price cap still stands at £1,000. This is above its pre-pandemic average.
Reports have it that the Labour party urged PM Rishi Sunak to bring in an extra windfall tax. This is to claw back some of the profits and redirect the cash back to needy families.
What may have contributed to the soar in profit of British Gas?
The current level includes a premium that enables suppliers to recover part of their losses from the previous year. This is to avoid a potential new wave of supplier failures.
The pressure on household budgets in the growing cost of living squeeze is expected to continue around the £2,000 a year average for the upcoming winter months. This is according to industry analysts.
Ofgem spokesperson said: “After four years of loss making, the energy retail sector is expected to return to profit this year.
“The profits we’ll see in the energy retail sector for the first half of this year are a one off as suppliers recoup some of the genuine and significant costs and losses they incurred over recent years due to COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We expect profit levels to fall back significantly moving forward to the reasonable and modest levels allowed for in the price cap.”
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said; “these profits are a further sign of Britain’s broken energy system.”
Does market conditions also favor British Gas?
Geopolitical instances, patterns of supply and demand, and changes in the cost of production are factors that can affect energy prices.
British Gas might have benefited from selling gas to consumers at higher costs if energy prices climbed during that time. This would have increased revenue and, as a result, enhanced profits.
According to experts, British Gas profits soar because they may have developed smart operational and cost-cutting measures. This might be of help to their bottom line.
The business could have cut operational costs, maintained solid profit margins despite increasing gas prices by streamlining its operations. It may also streamline its supply chain, and using modern technology.