Ofgem published a call for input on 12 October 2026 setting out a case for change and three options for updating the time-of-use methodology in the energy price cap1. The consultation closes on 20 November 2026 and is listed as open, under the topic energy pricing rules and the subtopic energy price cap1.
The regulator says the review is timely because of Market Wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS), which it describes as an important part to make at least 95% of England, Scotland and Wales's electricity generation come from clean sources by 2030 by enabling greater levels of consumer-led flexibility1. Ofgem states that energy suppliers are incentivised to offer tariffs that pass on more price signals, such as lower prices overnight compared to daytime, and to reward customers for using energy outside high-cost periods1. With the MHHS migration well underway, Ofgem says it expects greater diversity in costs across customer types and suppliers as adoption of low carbon technologies and time-of-use tariffs changes customer usage behaviour, and that this makes it an appropriate time to review the methodology for setting the multi-rate price cap level1.
The call for input sets out a case for change, highlighting the challenges in retaining the current methodology, and three options that demonstrate the trade-offs for setting a time-of-use approach1. Ofgem has not published the detail of those three options on the call for input page; the full document is available as a PDF1.
"This call for input sets out a case for change, highlighting the challenges in retaining the current methodology and three options that demonstrate the trade-offs for setting a time-of-use approach."
Ofgem lists energy suppliers, energy industry bodies, consumer groups, charities and consumers among those who should respond1. Responses should be submitted by 20 November 2026 by emailing priceprotectionpolicy@ofgem.gov.uk1. The page also links to a separate call for input on the energy price cap technical approach to market wide half hourly settlement1.
Why it matters for households
The price cap sets the default rates that suppliers must offer, and the methodology behind it determines how a multi-rate cap is calculated. A time-of-use cap would reflect the fact that electricity costs more at some times of day than others, rather than a single unit rate. For a household, the practical question is whether the protection offered by the cap keeps pace with tariffs that reward shifting usage, such as running appliances or charging an electric vehicle overnight. Ofgem's own framing is that suppliers are already incentivised to pass on price signals of this kind1. The outcome of this review could therefore shape how far a household's bill depends on when it uses power rather than only how much, and how that interacts with the price cap as it stands. The call for input does not set out any change to rates or to the cap level itself, and no figures for household bills are given in it1.
What happens next
The call for input is open until 20 November 2026, with responses by email to priceprotectionpolicy@ofgem.gov.uk1. Ofgem has not stated in the call for input page what will follow the closing date, and no decision date or implementation timetable has been reported1.