Energy Unplugged by Aurora
Energy Unplugged by Aurora
Aurora Energy Research
We Built the Renewables. So Why Are Bills Still Rising? EP. 301
43 minutes Posted Aug 11, 2026 at 6:00 am.
Why Are UK Electricity Bills Still Rising?
What’s Really Driving High Electricity Prices?
Why Cheap Renewables Aren’t Lowering Bills
The Missing Pillar of the Energy Transition
EVs as a Virtual Power Plant
Escaping Britain’s Electrification Doom Loop
Quickfire: Gas, Renewables & the One Reform That Could Cut Bills
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Show notes
This week on Energy Unplugged, Marc Hedin, Head of Research for Western Europe & Africa at Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Rachel Fletcher, Director of Regulation & Economics at Octopus Energy, to tackle a question at the heart of Britain’s energy debate: why are electricity bills so high, and what would it take to bring them down? 
As the UK pushes ahead with electrification, Rachel argues that the challenge is no longer just about building more renewable generation. Instead, the conversation explores whether the current market design, network investment strategy, and approach to flexibility are fit for a rapidly changing power system. 
The discussion examines the drivers behind rising bills, the role of flexibility and electric vehicles in lowering system costs, and the policy choices that could shape the next phase of the energy transition. Rachel also shares her views on locational pricing, the future role of gas, and the reforms she believes would make the biggest difference for consumers. 
Main topics include: 
What is really driving high electricity bills in Great Britain 
How flexibility, batteries and EVs could reshape the power system 
The debate over grid expansion, market design and locational pricing 
The reforms needed to support electrification and lower costs