Energy bills for thousands of customers could soar by up to £300 a year after host of popular fixed rate tariffs end 

  • Experts warn 24 fixed-rate energy tariffs are coming to an end this week 
  • Customers will be automatically transferred to their supplier's variable rate
  • Could be faced with price hikes of 25 per cent or up to £312 from provider
  • British Gas, Scottish Power and First Utility all have plans due to expire 

By Sam Matthew for MailOnline

Published: 02:17 EST, 15 September 2015 | Updated: 03:58 EST, 15 September 2015

With weathermen warning Britain is on course for one of the coldest winters in decades, thousands of households are facing huge hikes in their energy bills. 

Many will see their annual spend rocket by up to £300 this week, as a number of popular fix-rate deals are set to come to an end.

A total of 24 energy plans, including offers from British Gas, Scottish Power and First Utility are due to expire tomorrow.

Many will see their annual spend rocket by up to £300 this week as a number of popular fix-rate deals are set to come to an end

Many will see their annual spend rocket by up to £300 this week as a number of popular fix-rate deals are set to come to an end

This will see customers automatically transferred onto their supplier's standard variable rate, which could mean drastically higher bills unless they switch provider.  

For most households this will be in the region of £150, according to Gocompare.com, but others will fare far worse.

First Utility customers in the Norweb region, which includes Manchester and Liverpool, are facing hikes of 25 per cent or £312 for example.

The increases will come just as the costly winter months approach, with energy usage likely to be higher than usual if predictions prove correct.

Meteorologists anticipate that the El Nino phenomenon – which caused the prolonged, snowy winter six years ago – could be the most powerful since 1950.

The effect occurs when ocean temperatures rise in the eastern Pacific, causing knock-on effects around the globe. 

It can trigger droughts in some areas, typhoons in others and is associated with an increased chance of blizzards in the northern hemisphere.

Let it snow: Conditions this year could mirror those of 2009/2010 – which saw the coldest January (above, in Fleet, Hampshire) in decades

Let it snow: Conditions this year could mirror those of 2009/2010 – which saw the coldest January (above, in Fleet, Hampshire) in decades

The winter of 1950 saw memorable snowfalls of 15 inches on the Isle of Wight in just three-and-a-half hours, ten inches in Bournemouth and 14 inches in Scarborough. 

Caroline Lloyd, energy spokeswoman at Gocompare.com, said: 'With a huge number of fixed tariffs coming to an end this month, it is really important for customers to keep on top of when their deals expire and ensure they're not paying over the odds for their energy.

'Unfortunately, households who are loyal to their energy provider once their current deal expires are usually rewarded with a significantly more expensive tariff that doesn't represent value for money.

'However, there are a range of competitive tariffs available at the moment for those who take the initiative and shop around.' 

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