British Gas owner Centrica has posted huge profits after oil and gas prices soared last year, sparking renewed calls for energy firms to pay more tax.
Its profits hit £3.3bn for 2022, more than triple the £948m it made in 2021.
Energy firms have seen record profits since oil and gas prices jumped following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The figures come after British Gas was criticised over its use of debt agents to force-fit prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers.
Energy firms have faced huge pressure to pay more tax in the UK on their profits, as many households struggle with higher gas and electricity bills. Shell and BP have reported record profits this year.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition campaign group said the energy market was "failing consumers and is in desperate need of reform".
But Centrica boss Chris O'Shea said the company last year invested £75m in supporting customers of British Gas, the UK's largest electricity and gas supplier, providing "much needed stability and support".
Most of Centrica's bumper profits came from its nuclear and oil and gas business, rather than from the British Gas energy supply business, which contributed just £72m of the £3.3bn profit. The sale of its Spirit Energy oil and gas business in May also boosted the figures.
Due to competition rules, Centrica cannot sell its own gas at a discount to British Gas customers.
In fact, it said British Gas's profits had decreased by 39% compared with 2021's levels, largely because of "voluntary donations" to support customers and the repayment of furlough funds from the pandemic.
In addition, Centrica said:
It paid £1bn in tax relating to its 2022 profits, the vast majority of which were paid in the UK.
Of that, about £54m was paid as result of the windfall tax - called the Energy Profits Levy - which was introduced by the government last year to recoup some of the "extraordinary" earnings made by firms, and to help fund lower gas and electricity bills for households.
Centrica also said it would increase the money it returned to its shareholders as it launched a £300m share buyback scheme.
Mr O'Shea refused to be drawn on whether he would waive his bonus for the past year, saying it was "too early to have a conversation". He turned down a £1.1m bonus for the previous financial year.
He is due to receive an annual salary of £794,375 for the past year and Centrica's annual incentive plan means he could also be eligible for an almost £1.6m bonus if targets are met.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64652142