The pain from sky-high energy prices will continue for up to two years, according to the chief executive of Britain’s biggest gas supplier.
In an interview with the BBC, Chris O'Shea, chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica PLC (LSE:CNA), said he saw no reason for costs to come down ‘any time soon’.
This will come as a blow to millions of householders with the average bill 50% higher than it was a year ago at £2,000.
"The market suggests the high gas prices will be here for the next 18 months to two years," O’Shea said.
Rising prices on the wholesale market have been well-chronicled in recent months.
However, the move to greener sources of energy is becoming a problem. Europewide, it is ramping up demand for gas, which is seen as a transition fuel.
"And so, as you turn off coal-fired power stations in other countries, there isn't an abundance of gas that you can just turn on quickly,” O’Shea told the BBC.