MINISTERS must back “homegrown renewable power” to end our dependence on volatile fossil energy, campaigners demanded today as households were told to brace for higher bills.

Industry experts warned billpayers in Britain that the cost of heating their homes this winter may go up even more than expected due to delays in natural gas stockpiling this summer.

Countries across Europe held off regular accumulating of the non-renewable fuel in response to high wholesale costs of gas because of the US war on Iran, betting the conflict would end before the winter and that prices would drop as a result.

Analysts have warned that storage levels of natural gas are well below the average at this of year, and that wholesale prices are at a three-year high, suggesting a hike is on the way for consumers.

Increased hostilities between the US and Iran in recent weeks and the potential of the Strait of Hormuz staying closed have also complicated European countries’ hopes for better trade conditions.

Capital Economics senior climate and commodities economist Hamad Hussain said he did not expect the strait, which sees around a fifth of all liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport, to reopen until next year.

He said gas prices would top £68 (€80) by the end of this year, adding: “The risks to gas prices are definitely tilted towards the upside.”

But End Fuel Poverty Coalition (EFPC) co-ordinator Simon Francis said the core problem is Britain’s reliance on natural gas, and that worries surrounding stockpiling only highlight the issue.

Mr Francis said: “Storage only ever softens the blow. The real problem is our dependence on gas, which leaves households hostage to the price shock profiteers and volatile global markets.”

He explained that the “lasting fix is to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster” and that the government must “back homegrown renewable power, reform electricity pricing and upgrade the coldest, dampest homes, so bills fall and families are protected for good.”

The energy price cap rose in July, and is set to increase by another 4 per cent in October, leaving typical households paying £1,723.

Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight has said domestic energy prices could go up a further 9 per cent in the new year.