Hard-up families could see their energy bills skyrocket by almost 80 per cent by next year according to experts.
Utility consultancy BFY Group said they expect the bill cap to reach £3,850 between January and April next year.
This comes at an already challenging time where many people are already struggling to pay for food, fuel and their bills.
Renfrewshire residents have already been told to brace themselves for another rise in October this year too.
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Sharon McAulay, chief executive of Paisley charity Star Project, said families in the region are facing a financial "timebomb".
She said : “Inflation has surged to a 40-year high driven by fuel costs and food prices and the Office for National Statistics said the largest upward effect came from essentials such as milk, cheese and eggs, but big price rises were also seen for vegetables, meat and other food products, such as ready meals.
“We’re sitting on a financial timebomb. Energy bills will rise to unaffordable levels in October, then predicted to go up a further 77 per cent.”
In May, ministers were forced to act by announcing a major support package for struggling households.
There were also a number of measures unveiled earlier this year to help people pay their bills.
One measure was the Cost of Living Payment where families and those on low incomes were given £326 sent directly to them and then another £324 will be sent later in the year.
This is part of the Government’s £37billion support package to assist those needing help paying bills and other necessities.
The current cost of living crisis is putting a lot of pressure on local charities like Star Project as they do all they can to help those in need.
Sharon added: “In the past couple months we’ve helped 58 local families with fuel vouchers and referred a further 48 on to Home Energy Scotland and the Council Energy Team for further support.”
Star Project is seeing not just those that are on low incomes looking for help, but those who are working full time, have two jobs and would not normally be looking for aid.
Sharon added: “While people either freeze, go hungry or worry themselves to death, the big energy shareholders will continue to rake in millions, the companies will make billions of profit and those with the power to intervene are making campaign videos, infighting, partying and taking selfies on fighter jets. This is just not good enough and more needs to be done and fast, it’s practically Victorian.
“Many people are also worried about being unable to afford to get into work and we’re seeing an increase in strikes and protests, and rightly so.
“Unless something radical happens this is going to continue increasing. People have had enough, they’re utterly scunnered."
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