Consumer Council encourages consumers to consider switching energy supplier due to series of price decreases

SSE Airtricity Gas have announced a reduction of 22.8% on their regulated gas tariffs for domestic and small business customers in both the Greater Belfast and West gas network areas. 

This means the annual gas bill of a typical household in the Greater Belfast and West gas networks with a credit meter, will reduce by about £320 per year. For those customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) in the Greater Belfast and West networks, they will see their typical costs reduce by around £316.

Northern Ireland’s largest electricity supplier, Power NI, is also set to decrease its tariffs by 6.3%.

This news follows three tariff decreases from Power NI during 2023 and will be welcomed by over 500,000 households. This means that the typical annual electricity bill of a Power NI customer with a credit meter, will be reduced by around £64 for the year and a typical prepayment (PAYG) customer will see their annual electricity costs reduced by around £62 a year.

Both reductions are effective 1 April 2024.

Commenting on the reductions, Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, said, “These tariff decreases are welcome news as they indicate a downward trend in wholesale energy prices. We work closely with the Utility Regulator and regulated supply companies to help protect and support consumers during price increases and we also ensure that that any cost savings are passed onto consumers as soon as possible during price decreases.

We know from our research that most consumers in Northern Ireland are still really worried about home energy prices. We urge anyone who is struggling to pay their energy bills or top-up their meters to contact their supplier directly for help and support.”

“Now that there is some change in electricity prices with the regulated and unregulated suppliers, we encourage consumers to use our free online Energy Price Comparison Tools to check that they are on the best deal or if they could save money by switching supplier, billing method or tariff.”

The Consumer Council’s website has advice and information on how to save money by being more energy efficient at home, and information on organisations who can help if you are struggling to keep on top of energy bills; visit www.consumercouncil.org.uk.

For consumers who do not have internet access or would like additional support in checking energy tariffs, call our team on 0800 121 6022 or email contact@consumercouncil.org.uk