A decision by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to hold out against industry-wide price increases this winter has cost the company £400 million in lost potential revenues. But even as energy suppliers anticipate punitive Budget measures next week in response to consumer outcry over perceived excessive profits, Scotland’s last remaining energy utility is expected to raise its prices later this month. Pressure on the Treasury to deliver a windfall tax has mounted after average rises of 15% by ScottishPower, British Gas, npower, E.ON and EDF Energy were followed by stellar full-year profits from British Gas owner Centrica. Its residential arm saw a fivefold increase in pre-tax profits to £570m. “Scottish and Southern promised not to raise its prices until the end of March when British Summer Time begins, but everybody expects it to increase its prices after that,” said Angelos Anastasiou, an analyst at Pali Capital.  He predicted that the Perth-based company would raise its prices by just below the 15% average, while emphasising its decision to protect customers over the winter. At a time when price rises have seen an extra 500,000 households sliding into fuel poverty, SSE is expected to continue with a price-led marketing strategy. When the company, whose brands include Scottish Hydro Electric and Southern Electric, unveils its full-year results at the end of May, analysts will be looking closely at how the estimated £40-to-£50 per customer saving is offset by a growth in new business. The firm’s strategy of undercutting rivals on price has seen it almost double its customer base to 8.2 million in the past six years, at the cost of huge potential revenues. Denis Kerby, a spokesman for SSE, confirmed that its price freezing strategy had cost the company £400m: “that is the potential gain if we had charged what others have charged, but we have our own pricing policy which reflects fair pricing to customers.” Asked about the prospect of price rises after March 30, he said: “It has yet to be decided, but we are pleased to have kept our prices down for the winter and we will continue our responsible approach to pricing.”