Fuel hike hits the Highlands

THE NORTH of Scotland has seen the highest increase in energy prices over the past year, while homes in the south have seen the smallest increase, according to new figures.

Householders in the Scottish Hydro energy area, which reaches from the Shetland Isles in the north to Perth in the south, have seen a 9.1 per cent increase in their dual fuel energy bills, while their neighbours in the Scottish Power area, which includes the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, have only seen a hike of 7.2 per cent.

The Scottish Hydro area has also seen the UK’s lowest temperatures in the past 12 months, with an average temperature in 2012 of 6.9°C, compared to a UK average of 8.7°C.

The increase in average prices in the north will cost homeowners who are on a standard tariff and use an average of 3,300 kWh of electricity and 16,500 kWh of gas annually £109.57 more a year.