We’ve looked at where you can get the cheapest gas and electricity prices in the South Shields area to give you an idea of what you could be paying if you switched energy suppliers and how much you could save on your energy bills.
South Shields is a Town in Tyne and Wear with the postcode sector NE33 1.
It is a charming coastal town with a rich maritime history and stunning views of the sea. The area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including beautiful beaches and picturesque walking trails. Visitors can also explore historical landmarks and enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene with various dining options.
Who are the cheapest energy suppliers in South Shields?
By using the current prices for tariffs in South Shields and the average gas and electricity usage for a 3-bedroom home, we have found the below energy providers currently have the cheapest tariffs near you:
| Supplier Name | Tariff Name | Tariff Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OVO Energy | 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover | Fixed | £133 | £1,591 |
| Outfox The Market | Super Fix'd 12m Apr-24 | Fixed | £134 | £1,605 |
EDF Energy | EDF Essentials | Fixed | £134 | £1,606 |
| E.ON Next | Next Fixed | Fixed | £135 | £1,625 |
| British Gas | Fixed Tariff 12M | Fixed | £136 | £1,627 |
Use our comparison site here to find the cheapest gas and electricity prices based on your usage.
Who is the best energy supplier in South Shields?
When looking at energy suppliers, it is important to not just focus on price.
Using data from Trustpilot, we have highlighted the best-performing energy suppliers that are available in South Shields below:
| Supplier Name | Reviews Rating | No. Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 4.8 | 265,000+ |
| OVO | 4.4 | 155,000+ |
| EDF Energy | 4.3 | 75,000+ |
| E.ON Next | 4.2 | 75,000+ |
| British Gas | 4.1 | 195,000+ |
What are the maximum standing charges in South Shields?
Your standing charge is a daily fee you must pay to your energy supplier regardless of your energy usage. Under the rules of the Ofgem price cap, a company is allowed to charge a maximum amount, which varies depending on where you live.
South Shields falls under the Northern area, meaning standing charges are currently capped at 31.58p per day for gas and 71.2p per day for electricity.
This means that whoever your supplier is, these are the maximum amounts they can charge you.
Combined, this gives a maximum standing charge for gas and electricity of 102.78p.
This means that Tyne and Wear is in the area ranked 14th out of the 14 regions in terms of maximum standing charges rates (14th is highest). The capped price is 13% higher than the average.
These rates are based on the July 2024 price cap.
What are the maximum unit prices in South Shields?
Your unit rate is how much you are charged per unit of gas or electricity you use. These units are measured in kWh.
Similar to standing charges, a supplier can charge a maximum for each unit of gas or electricity, which varies depending on your area.
In South Shields, as it is in the Northern, the cap on the unit rate for electricity is 23.36p and the maximum unit rate for gas is 6.03p.
Combined, this gives a maximum unit charge for gas and electricity of 132.17p.
This means that Tyne and Wear is in the area ranked 14th out of the 14 regions in terms of maximum unit prices (1st is lowest).
The capped rate is 9% higher than the average.
Again, these are based on the July 2024 price cap and will next be updated in October 2024.
What is the average energy usage for a property in South Shields?
South Shields is in the South Tyneside District local government area.
Gas Usage
In this area, there are 73,000 domestic properties.
71,000 of these properties have a gas meter whilst 2,000 are not connected to the gas grid (approximately 2% of properties).
The total gas usage for this area is 731 GWh, with the average household consuming 10,446 kWh of gas per year.
For context, the area with the highest average gas usage was the Elmbridge District, with 16,182 kWh per year, and the lowest gas usage was the City of Plymouth, with 7,976 kWh per year.
Electricity Usage
In total, there are 71,900 domestic electricity meters in this area.
The total consumption of all meters comes to 178 GWh, with the average household consuming 2,527 kWh of electricity per year.
For context, the area with the highest average electricity usage was the Cotswolds, with 4,947 kWh per year, and the lowest electricity usage was the South Tyneside District, with 2,527 kWh per year.
How do properties in South Shields rate for energy efficiency?
When it comes to the efficiency of properties, 44% in South Tyneside District are rated as EPC Band C or above.
The lowest-rated area in the UK (Pendle District) has only 22% of properties rated Band C or above.
In contrast, the best-performing area (Salford) has 65% of properties rated Band C or above.
The average estimated CO2 emissions from these properties is 3.2 tonnes/year for existing properties and 1.4 tonnes/year for new properties.
Combined, the average CO2 emissions for properties in this area is 3 tonnes/year.
When it comes to central heating, the table below shows the main fuel type used for central heating in this area:
| Fuel Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Community heating scheme | 2% |
| Electricity | 2% |
| Mains gas | 95% |
| Oil | 0% |
| Other or unknown | 0% |
How is the smart meter rollout going in South Shields?
Smart meters are currently being rolled out across the UK and are available for free to most customers from their energy suppliers.
In South Tyneside District (which covers South Shields) 59% of meters are a smart meter, based on the latest available data from 2023.
Torridge has the lowest percentage of smart meter installations, with only 46% being smart.
In contrast, Chesterfield has the highest percentage of smart meters at 69%.
Which distribution network covers South Shields?
The UK’s energy distribution network is supported by several key companies, each responsible for specific regions. These firms manage the infrastructure delivering energy to homes and businesses, ensuring a reliable supply.
Due to being based in the Northern region, the distributor for South Shields is Northern Powergrid.
Northern Powrgrid serves over 8 million people across North East England, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire. They ensure safe, reliable electricity delivery from chosen suppliers, fix outages around the clock, and focus on future energy systems. Their innovation supports a greener, net-zero future while powering everyday life for customers and businesses.