Energy terms explained

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a government scheme aimed at tackling fuel poverty in Great Britain. Under the scheme, larger energy suppliers support people who are in fuel poverty or are at risk of it.

Find out more at Warm Home Discount.

A tariff that is offered by a licensed energy supplier but uses the brand name of a non-licensed entity (excluding a brand name of the corporate group to which the licensed supplier belongs). The price and terms of the tariff may replicate those of the licensed supplier or may be modified to suit the specific needs of the brand. The legal relationship between the customer and the licensed energy supplier remain unchanged irrespective of the brand utilised for sales and marketing purposes.

The "Big Six" is the name sometimes collectively given to the six larger energy companies who supply most of Britain's gas and electricity. Each of them generate electricity, and deliver both gas and electricity to our homes and businesses. They are:

- Centrica plc (three retail brands: British Gas, Scottish Gas and Nwy Prydain in England, Scotland and Wales respectively)

- E.ON UK

- Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)

- RWE npower

- EDF Energy

- ScottishPower

Back to Energy market facts and figures

There are 14 electricity distribution network operators, owned by six ownership groups. 

There are eight gas distribution network operators, owned by four ownership groups. See below for a detailed list of the individual operators against their ownership groups. 

This is the amount energy companies pay to buy gas and electricity which they then sell to you. They may buy from the wholesale market, have a contract with an electricity generator, or be part of a company generating its own energy. Wholesale gas is often bought in advance. If suppliers don't buy enough, they may have to buy more which can be at a higher price depending on the market.