CAMPAIGNERS hit out at energy firms for “profiting off misery” while millions continue to struggle to pay sky-high bills.

British Gas owner Centrica announced ahead of its AGM today  that it is set to deliver “sustainable” profits in its household supply arm two years ahead of target.

The energy giant welcomed a “more normalised external environment” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The firm is forecast to deliver operating profits between £150 million and £250m in its British Gas residential energy supply arm.

British Gas’s services and solutions business is expected to rake in up to £200m. 

Earlier this year, Centrica faced backlash for awarding its boss Chris O’Shea a mammoth £8.2m pay packet amid the energy crisis. 

End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “While millions of people are cutting back on hot meals and struggling in energy debt caused by sky-high prices, an elite few are profiting off this misery.

“As young families turn to loan sharks to make ends meet, Centrica’s shareholders turn to the bubbly to celebrate these returns.”

He called on the next government to “protect households from the excesses of the energy market, bring down bills for good, end energy debt, improve housing standards and make Britain a clean energy superpower."

Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action attributed the forecast partly to Ofgem’s price cap rises last year, which provided British Gas with a boost of about £500m.

He blasted the regulator for handing the firm “our money while we struggled to heat and eat.”

He said: “The new government will need to act quickly to introduce a fairer energy pricing system, that puts people before profits.”