A new forecast for the energy price cap has predicted it will reach £6,500 when Ofgem reviews it in April 2023, the highest prediction yet.
The forecast, from consultancy Auxilione, is almost £500 higher than the forecasts from other commentators.
Higher predictions are emerging almost daily for the rising cost of energy for households over the next six months due to a surge in European gas prices during August.
Normally a quiet month for the gas market, prices have rocketed in recent weeks due to fears that the Nord Stream pipeline that supplies Germany and Northern Europe from Russia will be shut off.
The pipe is scheduled to close for three days of routine maintenance next week, but the speculation is that Russian President Vladimir Putin will close down the link completely in retaliation for sanctions imposed following his invasion of Ukraine.
UK regulator Ofgem, meanwhile, announces the price cap level for three months from the start of October on Friday and Auxilione expects it to rise to £3,576, from £1,971 currently.
Wholesale gas prices currently account for around 55% of the price cap.
Auxilione said it also expects the price cap to rise to £5,066 in January and hit £6,552 from April.
US bank Citi yesterday predicted UK inflation would rise to 18.6% due to the surge in energy and gas prices.
Citi expects the price cap to hit £3,717 this week before rising to £4,567 in January 2023 and £5,816 in April, while energy consultant Cornwall Insight has predicted £3,554 from October and more than £5,300 in the second quarter of 2023.
Cornwall Insight did offer some possible comfort for households by adding that the market is so volatile at present there is a chance the numbers and predictions will change, but the trajectory remains upwards.
Earlier today, EDF Energy warned the UK faces a "dramatic and catastrophic winter" as energy prices are set to soar again this week (read more).
EDF is one of the so-called big five UK suppliers and Philippe Commaret, its head of retail, called for extra government intervention including helping households insulate their homes and a VAT cut for small businesses.
“In January, half of the UK households might be in fuel poverty,” he said.