Centrica, the company that owns British Gas, has reported record profits for the 2022 financial year.
Operating profits of £3.3bn were recorded at the company, up from £948m in 2021, and surpassing the previous highest ever yearly profit of £2.7bn, posted in 2012.
Profit at the oil and gas producer has been helped by high energy prices. Wholesale gas costs had risen to new highs in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
Supplies have been limited since Russia’s invasion and the subsequent sanctions imposed on the country.
The financial performance at British Gas was not as strong as its parent company.
Adjusted operating profit decreased to £72m in 2022 from £118m 2021 – a 39% decline.
At the same time the company had an increase in its number of residential customers. There were 7.5 million customers, up 4% from the previous year. The government estimated that its windfall tax will raise £14bn in 2023.
Payments to Centrica shareholders are to rise to 3p per share. Dividend payments of 1p per share were restored in July after a pandemic-era pause and have now been risen by 2p, upping the full-year payment.
Pressure on British Gas and parent firm
As political pressure rose to tackle all time high profits, Centrica became subject to the 45% windfall tax on electricity generators.
British Gas came under intense criticism recently after an investigation revealed debt collectors working on behalf of the company forced their way into homes of vulnerable customers, including people with disabilities.
Electricity regulator Ofgem said on Wednesday that the end of forced installation of energy prepayment meters only extends until the end of March.
Addressing the issue, Centrica’s annual report said protecting vulnerable customers is a priority.
The firm has committed to donate 10% of both British Gas Energy’s and Irish operator Bord Gáis’s adjusted operating profits “to help until the current crisis is over”.
“Therefore, we were extremely disappointed by the allegations surrounding one of our third-party contractors and their approach to pre-payment customers. We immediately took action to address this and are completing a thorough independent investigation,” the company said in the results.
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The boss of British Gas’ owner, Centrica, has said
But disability equality charity Scope said disabled people are facing devastating situations because they can’t afford enough energy.
“It’s obscene that energy companies continue to make massive profits,” Tom Marsland, the policy manager at the charity, said.
“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. We’re being inundated with heart-breaking calls from disabled people who haven’t eaten for days, who can’t afford energy to charge wheelchairs and stairlifts, but are still racking up huge energy debts.”