The Utility Regulator has completed its review of Firmus Energy Supply’s regulated gas tariff for domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns area and is urging anyone worried about paying for their energy to contact their supplier, or a free advice organisation, as early as possible.
Commenting on the tariff review, Leigh Greer, the Utility Regulator’s Head of Security of Supply and Markets Regulation said:
“We recognise that another increase in energy bills will be deeply concerning for households and small businesses, particularly for those already under pressure from the wider cost of living.
“Following our detailed scrutiny of Firmus Energy Supply’s costs, the regulated gas tariff for domestic and small business customers will increase by 9%, or around £87 per year for a typical household customer.
“This increase is being driven by the sustained rise in the wholesale cost of gas, not by supplier profit. Wholesale costs are influenced by uncertainty in international markets and ongoing instability in the Middle East.
“The Iranian conflict has continued to affect global energy prices over the past six months. In recent weeks, the wholesale cost of gas has doubled since the conflict began and is currently around £1.80 a therm.
“Our message to customers is clear: if you are worried about paying for gas or electricity, please do not wait. Contact your supplier as soon as possible. Suppliers will work with customers to discuss payment options and the support 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. Further information on managing energy debt is also available in our consumer guide, which provides practical advice, support and resources for anyone concerned about energy debt. You can find the guide on our website: www.uregni.gov.uk/guide-managing-energy-debt.
“Our role is to protect consumers. We independently scrutinise the costs that make up regulated tariffs and challenge suppliers to ensure customers pay no more than is necessary. We only allow tariff changes where the evidence shows they are justified. As part of our regulation, regulated suppliers’ profits are capped at around 2%.
“We also want customers to have clear, transparent information about how bills compare with other places. The table below shows the average annual bill comparison from 1 October 2026. The combined regulated electricity and gas tariff in Northern Ireland is 5% lower than the recently announced price cap in Great Britain and substantially lower than tariffs in Ireland.”
| Average annual bills from 1 October 2026 | Power NI (electricity) and SSE Airtricity (gas, Greater Belfast and West) | Power NI (electricity) and Firmus Energy (gas, Ten Towns) | Great Britain* | Ireland |
| Electricity | £1,093 | £1,093 | £1,121 | £1,347 |
| Gas | £1,079 | £1,060 | £1,144 | £1,379 |
| Total | £2,172 | £2,153 | £2,265 | £2,726 |
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.
This tariff announcement marks the conclusion of a review undertaken by the Utility Regulator and Firmus Energy Supply, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
A briefing paper on the tariff review has been published.
Further information:
- Media contact: Adele Boyle, 07787 279584.
- *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.**
- **DfE has proposed the 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. As there are details still to be confirmed by Treasury it is now proposed that the combined discount will be applied in October.
- The exchange rate used for comparison with Ireland is 0.85 and VAT rate is 9%.
- Firmus Energy’s tariff review covers 76,863 customers in the Ten Towns area. The Utility Regulator does not regulate Firmus Energy’s Greater Belfast tariff.
- 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.
- Previous tariff changes include an increase of 15.7% in July 2026 and 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 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.