Gas dispute may lead to UK price increases
Published on : 03/10/2007
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A major dispute between Russian and Ukrainian companies over gas could lead to price rises for energy customers in the UK.
Russian company Gazprom released a statement yesterday claiming it may be forced to reduce gas supplies to its neighbour after the country's unpaid bills for the fuel's delivery topped £625 million.
The move has led UK energy companies that receive supplies from Ukraine, including British Gas owner Centrica, to speculate that the reduction could force British prices up in the coming months.
Talking to the Telegraph, a Centrica spokesman said: "We have no plans to raise bills between now and the end of the year but we are all looking at how winter pricing turns out. This potentially adds to upward pressure."
News of possible price hikes has come after Ofgem revealed gas customers may face small increases on their energy costs as it plans major investment into the replacement of old mains pipes.
The UK energy regulator has told consumers to expect an increase of £1 per year in real terms on their bills.
