Utility Regulator confirms SSE Airtricity Gas Supply regulated gas price increase

The Utility Regulator has concluded its review of the regulated gas tariff for SSE Airtricity Gas Supply. An announcement on firmus energy’s regulated gas tariff is expected next week. 

Commenting on the tariff review, Colin Broomfield, Markets Director at the Utility Regulator said:

“We have completed a formal review of the regulated gas price for domestic and small business customers of SSE Airtricity Gas Supply.  

“Following our analysis, SSE Airtricity Gas Supply’s tariff will increase by 19.2%, or £174 per year, for domestic and small business customers in the Greater Belfast and West gas areas. The increase will come into effect on 1 October 2026.

“We recognise that this will be difficult news for many households and small businesses, particularly at a time when wider cost pressures remain a concern. The main reason for the increase is the sustained rise in the wholesale cost of gas, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“The Iranian conflict has continued to impact energy prices globally for the past six months. In recent weeks, we have seen the wholesale price of gas reaching 169 pence per therm. This is twice as high as pre-conflict prices.

“The Utility Regulator’s role is to independently scrutinise and review the costs underpinning regulated tariffs, so that consumers pay no more than is necessary while ensuring suppliers can recover efficiently incurred costs.

“If you are worried about paying for your gas or electricity, please do not wait until you are in difficulty. Contact your supplier as early as possible to make them aware of your circumstances and to discuss the options available. Free and independent advice is also available from organisations including Advice NI, Christians Against Poverty, the Consumer Council and the Money and Pensions Service’s MoneyHelper.

“We would encourage anyone who is concerned about their energy costs to seek support. Speaking to a supplier or an advice organisation early can help households and businesses understand the practical steps available to them.”

The table below shows the average annual bill comparison, from 1 October 2026, between the combined annual cost of the regulated electricity and gas tariffs with Great Britain and Ireland. 

Following this review, the combined regulated electricity and gas tariff will remain 4% lower than the recently announced price cap in Great Britain and substantially lower than tariffs in Ireland.

Note: Figures above are based on annual consumption of 3200 kWh for electricity and 12,000 kWh for gas (standard credit customer). Ireland figures are estimates based on current tariffs. 

*The GB price cap figures include the VAT reduction recently announced by the UK Government, as well as reductions in policy costs such as the Renewables Obligation scheme, as announced in the UK Government's Autumn Budget. The figures for Northern Ireland do not yet include these reductions, which are currently being finalised by the Department for the Economy (DfE). DfE’s announcement on 25 August 2026 noted that the reduction would amount to “over £50”. However, final figures and dates are still to be confirmed.**

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

A briefing paper has been published.

Further information:

• The Utility Regulator is the independent non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the electricity and gas industries and water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. 

• An announcement on firmus energy’s regulated gas tariff in the Ten Towns area is expected next week. Power NI’s domestic tariff was not included in this tariff review, however, we continue to monitor this. 

• 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 0.85 and VAT rate is 9%. 

• The SSE Airtricity Gas Supply review covers around 203,500 customers in the Greater Belfast area and around 5,500 customers in the Gas to the West area.
• SSE Airtricity Gas Supply’s previous tariff changes include a number of consecutive decreases, including 8.10% in April 2026, 8.47% in October 2025, 22.8% in April 2024 and 12.2% decrease in July 2023.
• 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. 
• The Ten Towns and Greater Belfast/West areas are two separate markets, with different distribution network operators and different network use of system costs. 
• 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 www.naturalgasni.com website.

• ** The Department for the Economy has proposed that the recently announced VAT reduction for domestic electricity bills will be added to the previously announced NIRO Domestic Electricity Discount Scheme. The discount of circa £30 was due to apply in September, while the VAT discount is due to be applied in Britain in October. The funding associated with the VAT reduction is still to be confirmed by the Treasury, but it is expected to take the discount to over £50. As there are details still to be confirmed by Treasury it is now proposed that the combined discount will be applied in October.

• The tariff briefing papers will be published on our website www.uregni.gov.uk.