Utility Regulator concludes review of regulated electricity and gas tariffs

The Utility Regulator has concluded its reviews of the regulated tariffs for Power NI, SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy. The changes to the regulated tariffs will come into effect on 1 October 2025.

Commenting on the conclusion of the tariff reviews, Colin Broomfield, Director of Markets at the Utility Regulator said:

“In August 2025, we began a formal review of the regulated tariffs for Power NI’s domestic electricity customers and the regulated tariffs for domestic and small business gas customers of SSE Airtricity Gas Supply (Greater Belfast and Western areas) and Firmus Energy (Ten Towns area). 

“Following our analysis we have determined the following: 

• Power NI’s domestic tariff will increase by 4% or around £40 a year.
• SSE Airtricity Gas Supply’s regulated tariff will decrease by 8.47% on average, or around £94 per year.
• As announced on 4 September 2025, Firmus Energy’s regulated tariff will decrease by 7.86%, or around £80 per year. 

“The reduction to the regulated gas tariffs for Firmus Energy and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply are primarily driven by a fall in wholesale energy prices. 

“The reason for the increase to Power NI’s regulated electricity tariff is due to a rise in the non-energy elements that make up a customer’s bill. These components are essential in ensuring the security and stability of the entire electrical system. Additionally, as we continue to strive to meet government climate change targets, there is a need to invest in grid infrastructure to facilitate renewable energy sources.

“From 1 October 2025, the combined regulated gas and electricity tariffs in Northern Ireland will be lower than the price cap in Great Britain and tariffs in Ireland.”

Note: Figures above are based on the annual bill of a domestic customer consuming 12,000 kWh of gas and 3,200 kWh of electricity on the standard tariff. 

Colin Broomfield continued: 

“We will continue to monitor the regulated tariffs and will ensure any reduction in costs are passed through to customers at the earliest opportunity.

“If you are worried about paying for your electricity or gas, help is available. We would encourage you to contact your supplier in the first instance, to make them aware of your circumstances, and discuss the options available. In addition, there are a number of agencies who can provide free and independent advice to households, including Advice NI, Christians Against Poverty, the Consumer Council and Money and Pensions Service’s MoneyHelper.”

This tariff announcement marks the conclusion of reviews undertaken by the Utility Regulator, Power NI, SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. 

Brieing papers for SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Power NI have been published.

Further information: 

• Media contact: Adele Boyle on 07787 279584.
• The exchange rate used for comparison with Ireland is 0.86 and VAT rate is 9%.
• Power NI: The Power NI tariff review covers around 524,200 domestic electricity customers.
• The Ten Towns and Greater Belfast/West areas are two separate markets, with different distribution network operators and different network use of system costs.
• SSE Airtricity Gas Supply: The SSE Airtricity Gas Supply review covers around 212,900 customers in the Greater Belfast area and 4,700 customers in the Gas to the West area. This tariff review reflects the downward trend in the cost of wholesale gas, resulting in a decrease in gas procurement costs, and an over recovery from this current tariff period, which can now be passed on to SSE Airtricity’s customers.
• The Greater Belfast area includes: South, West, East and North Belfast; Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; Duncrue and Harbour; Lisburn; Carryduff; Castlereagh; Ballygowan; Newtownards; Larne; and North Down.
• The Western area includes: Enniskillen, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Omagh, Dungannon and Strabane.
• Firmus Energy: The Firmus Energy tariff review covers around 73,000 customers in the Ten Towns area. The Utility Regulator only regulates Firmus Energy’s gas tariff in the Ten Towns area.
• The Ten Towns area includes: Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine (including Portstewart and Bushmills), Ballymoney, Ballymena (Broughshane), Antrim (including Ballyclare and Templepatrick), Craigavon (including Portadown and Lurgan), Banbridge, Newry (Warrenpoint), Armagh (Tandragee) and more than 25 other towns and villages.
• The Consumer Council’s website has energy advice for consumers and also provides an independent energy price comparison tool to help consumers save money.