Households bracing for another energy price hike have been thrown a lifeline as EDF unveils the cheapest fixed tariff among major suppliers - offering savings of up to £207 on an annual bill.

From April 1, the energy price cap is set to rise to £1,849, but EDF's new Simply Fixed Jun26v5 tariff costs just £1,642 for a typical household.

This would be the equivalent to a saving of £96 against the current cap and £207 compared to the new rate - assuming typical household use over a full year.

The tariff, available for 16 months, has no smart meter requirement and, for those signing up directly with EDF, comes with no exit fees under the Simply Fixed Direct Jun26v5 deal.

Rich Hughes, Director of Retail at EDF, said: "We know many households are concerned about energy bills rising again next month, which is why we want to help in any way we can.

"Over 175,000 customers on our tracker tariffs have already saved £3.5m by switching.

"With our new market-leading deal, we're offering customers the cheapest rates among major suppliers as well as ensuring price stability, giving households peace of mind over their energy costs."

Customers wary of locking into a fixed rate can instead opt for EDF's 16-month tracker tariff, Simply Tracker Jun26, which tracks at £50 below the price cap. The saving of £25 per fuel comes from standing charges rather than unit prices, ensuring lower energy users also benefit.

EDF has warned that its market-leading deal could be withdrawn at any time due to volatility in global wholesale prices.

As an extra incentive, EDF is also offering £50 off energy bills for both existing and new customers who refer a friend.

Existing customers can sign up via MyAccount or the EDF app, while new customers can join online.

EDF's green commitment

EDF claims to be Britain's biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity. It says it is leading the charge towards Net Zero with nuclear and renewable investments, including wind farms and the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

The company is also backing sustainable energy solutions such as electric vehicle support and solar panel installations.

For more information, visit EDF's website .