What affects your rugby club’s energy prices in 2026?

Energy price and energy cost are not the same thing.

Your rugby club’s costs are heavily influenced by your consumption. Higher usage equals higher costs. Use less energy, pay less.

But we know you can’t just switch off your floodlights and boiler and hope for the best. That’s where understanding energy prices becomes essential.

Understanding what affects energy prices and makes up your bill gives your club a better starting point when reviewing energy costs.

Looking beyond the unit rate and checking your standing charges, contract terms and overall consumption can help you better understand your energy expenditure and identify areas where savings may be possible.

What affects energy prices?

Your energy bill is largely dictated by three major factors:

1. Wholesale energy costs

Approximately 40% of your rugby club’s electricity bill – and 60% of your gas bill – pays for the energy flowing through your site, according to Ofgem.

Yes, less than half of your electricity bill pays for electricity.

Supply and demand play an enormous role in setting the price of wholesale energy.

A key driver of supply issues is global conflict. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted European gas supplies, while conflict in the Middle East has caused significant disruption to global oil and gas markets.

The UK’s reliance on gas-fired power plants means higher wholesale gas prices also tend to push up electricity prices.

Demand factors, such as the weather, also play a part in dictating wholesale energy prices.

Extreme temperatures lead to spikes in usage. Cold weather increases demand for heating appliances, while hot weather increases demand for cooling systems.

2. Network costs

Non-commodity costs make up the rest of your bill.

These charges help pay for national energy infrastructure, network improvements and the cost of transporting power across the country and into your club.

Some of these costs are included in your standing charge, a daily fixed fee paid regardless of your usage.

3. Government policy

Government policy also plays a part in determining how much you pay for energy.

Various taxes, levies and environmental charges are added to energy bills. These contribute towards government policies, infrastructure and the transition to more efficient energy use.

The charges that apply depend on the type of energy you use and the nature of your organisation.

For example, business energy is generally subject to the standard 20% VAT rate. However, certain qualifying supplies benefit from a reduced rate, depending on how the energy is used and the amount consumed.

How can your rugby club manage rising energy costs?

Nobody knows where energy prices are going tomorrow. Or the day after. Or the day after that.

However, understanding the energy market and reviewing your club’s energy arrangements can help you make informed decisions about future costs.

At the time of writing (1st November 2026), short-term market prices continue to fluctuate, while longer-term prices currently sit lower.

In short, you can get a cheaper energy unit rate by securing a longer-term fixed contract. If prices rise again, you would be shielded for the duration of the deal.

Looking ahead can secure lower prices and greater certainty, but every business is different.

There is no single contract or approach that will suit every rugby club. Energy requirements, consumption, financial circumstances and contractual commitments will differ from one organisation to another.

About Troo

This article has been provided by Troo, one of National League Rugby’s partners.

Troo works with businesses on energy procurement, consultancy and ongoing energy management.

Troo are offering a free energy health check for clubs interested in reviewing their energy arrangements.

Find out more about Troo’s free energy health check.

For further information about Troo, contact Sean Gleeson: sean.gleeson@troocost.com

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