Utility Regulator confirms increases to regulated electricity and gas tariffs

The Utility Regulator has concluded its review of the regulated tariffs for Power NI and Firmus Energy (Ten Towns area). The changes to the regulated tariffs will come into effect on 1 July 2026.

Commenting on the tariff reviews, Leigh Greer, Head of Security of Supply and Markets Regulation at the Utility Regulator said:

“In early May 2026, we began a review of the regulated tariffs for Power NI’s domestic electricity customers and Firmus Energy’s domestic and small business gas customers in the Ten Towns area.

“Our analysis has resulted in the following changes: 

• Power NI’s domestic electricity tariff will increase by 6.2% or £64 a year. 

• Firmus Energy’s tariff for domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns area will increase by 15.7% or £132 a year. 

“SSE Airtricity’s regulated gas tariff in the Greater Belfast Area has not been part of this review but will be included in a review process that will begin in August, in advance of a possible 1 October change.  

“We understand this increase in energy costs is not welcome news for consumers. Unfortunately, the impact of continued and sustained rises in the wholesale cost of energy, caused by the conflict in the Middle East, has resulted in these increases. The conflict has impacted energy prices globally, and has already affected home heating oil, petrol and diesel prices. 

“For example, before the conflict began, the price per therm for natural gas was around 80p. As tensions in the Middle East escalated, the price per therm peaked at just over £1.70. In recent weeks the average price has been around £1.10 - £1.20 per therm.

“The table below shows the average annual bill comparison, from 1 July 2026, between the combined regulated gas and electricity tariffs with Great Britain and Ireland. From 1 July 2026, the combined regulated electricity and gas tariffs 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. Ireland figures are estimates based on current tariffs. *The GB price cap figures include the ‘£150 bill reduction’ announced in the Autumn Budget by the UK government that was applied to the April 2026 price cap.

Leigh Greer continued: 

“Our regulation ensures that the prices consumers pay reflect the underlying wholesale costs and the actual costs of supplying energy to your home.

“If you are worried about paying for your electricity or gas, there is help 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 a review undertaken by the Utility Regulator, Power NI and Firmus Energy, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. 

The briefing papers for Power NI and Firmus Energy have been published. 

Further information:

• Media contact: Adele Boyle on 07787 279584.

• The bill comparison with GB and Ireland is based on annual consumption of 12,000 kWh of gas and 3,200 kWh of electricity, on the standard tariff.

• The exchange rate used for comparison with Ireland is 0.86 and VAT rate is 9%. 

• Power NI:
  • The Power NI tariff review covers over 521,000 (521,333) domestic electricity customers. 
  • The previous tariff changes include: 4% increase in October 2025, 4% increase in December 2024, a 6.3% decrease in April 2024 and a 7.1% decrease in July 2023. 
• Firmus Energy: 
• The Firmus Energy tariff review covers almost 76,000 (75,756) customers in the Ten Towns area. 
• The previous tariff changes include seven consecutive decreases including 10.1% in April 2026, 7.86% in October 2025, 11.84% in April 2025 and 15.6% in April 2024. 
• 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. 
• SSE Airtricity Gas Supply: 
• As noted the regulated tariff for SSE Airtricity Gas Supply in the Greater Belfast and West areas has not been reviewed at this time. It is not uncommon to have timing differences when suppliers change their tariffs. This can happen due to a number of factors, including differences in hedging strategies and commercial reasons.
• The Ten Towns and Greater Belfast/West areas are two separate gas markets, with different distribution network operators and different network use of system costs. 
• The Utility Regulator will conduct formal reviews of the regulated gas tariffs for both SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy during August in advance of a possible 1 October change.
• The Consumer Council’s website has energy advice for consumers and also provides an independent energy price comparison tool to help consumers save money. 
• A number of agencies can provide free and independent advice, including Advice NI, Money and Pensions Service and Christians Against Poverty. There is also more information on support for natural gas customers from the naturalgasni.com website.