Energy

The Consumer Council has welcomed new rules designed by the Utility Regulator to limit the length of time electricity and gas companies can back bill domestic and microbusiness consumers.

Natural gas consumers in the Ten Towns will be pleased with Firmus Energy Supply’s decision to decrease its prices by 12.48% from 1 October 2020. This follows from a 21.15% decrease back in April 2020.

The Board and staff of The Consumer Council wish to congratulate Chief Executive, John French, on his recent appointment to the role of Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator.

Electric Ireland announced today that it reducing its domestic electricity prices by 4.1% from 1 August 2020, meaning that all but one of the electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland will have lowered their prices before the autumn. Therefore, The Consumer Council would encourage consumers to shop around for the best energy deal or to speak to their supplier about the discounts they have available.

On the back of SSE Airtricity’s announcement today that it is set to reduce its domestic electricity prices by 5.1% from 1 August 2020, The Consumer Council would encourage consumers to shop around for the best energy deal. In the year to 31 March 2020, nearly 150,000 consumer in Northern Ireland used The Consumer Council’s energy switching tools to shop around for the best deal.

The Consumer Council is helping small businesses and not-for-profit organisations save money with a new online electricity and natural gas price comparison tool. The tool will make it easy for small businesses in Northern Ireland to find the best electricity and gas deals by comparing tariffs from all available suppliers in the one place.

Budget Energy customers in Northern Ireland may have been left with questions following the announcement that Flogas Ireland has finalised an agreement to purchase the electricity supplier. The Consumer Council is shedding some light into what the acquisition means for consumers.

The Consumer Council appreciates the announcement today that Power NI’s tariff will decrease 4.8% from 1 July 2020. This reduction reflects some of the recent falls in wholesale prices. The average Power NI annual bill will decrease by £29. This means that the average Power NI bill will now be £571 per year.

NIE Networks and The Consumer Council are reminding the public to stay safe and guard against bogus callers on the doorstep. There are concerns that bogus callers may take the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to take advantage of consumers.

The Consumer Council is advising households and small businesses to ensure their energy bills are accurate and as low as possible during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Consumers in Northern Ireland will welcome the news that home heating oil prices are on track to hit a record low, according to The Consumer Council’s weekly survey of home heating oil prices.

The Consumer Council is advising vulnerable consumers with Pay As You Go (PAYG) gas meters who have a received a letter from their GP, or hospital, asking them to isolate in their home, on how to top up their gas PAYG meter.

The Consumer Council has launched a dedicated website that provides a variety of helpful information for consumers in Northern Ireland who may have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The Consumer Council has updated its independent online Energy Price Comparison Tool to allow energy consumers to find the cheaper natural gas and electricity prices tariffs that came into effect from today (Wednesday 1 April 2020).

More than 50,000 households and small businesses in Greater Belfast will appreciate Firmus Energy’s decision to decrease its prices by 12% from 16 April 2020.

Natural Gas consumers in Greater Belfast and the Gas to the West region will welcome SSE Airtricity Gas Supply NI decision to decrease its prices by 18.7% from 1 April 2020.

Highlights video of our fourth annual Consumer Parliament and summary video of issues raised at our four regional parliaments. 

Natural gas consumers in the Ten Towns will be pleased with Firmus Energy Supply’s decision to decrease its prices by 21.15% from 1 April 2020.

The Council Consumer has launched a new free online interactive budgeting tool to help households take control of their spending and identify areas where they can potentially save money.

The most recent Bord Gáis Energy Index was launched yesterday. This shows that over the last year, there has been a 64% reduction in wholesale gas prices, and a 38% reduction in wholesale electricity prices. Unfortunately, consumers in Northern Ireland over the last month have only, at best, seen modest reductions in their gas prices, and increases of around 6-8% in their electricity prices.

The Consumer Council has had a successful year in 2018/19, advising and signposting a total of 1,213 consumers. Throughout the period, 3,782 enquiries and complaints were investigated, resulting in £212k being returned to the pockets of consumers in Northern Ireland.

Each week, The Consumer Council monitors home heating oil prices across Northern Ireland. Since the drone strike on the oil facilities in Saudi Arabia on 14 September 2019, there has been a 7% increase in home heating oil prices in Northern Ireland. Whereas, over the same time period wholesale crude oil prices have only increased by 2.8%.

Following further decreases in the wholesale electricity and gas markets from the corresponding period last year, The Consumer Council is calling on energy suppliers to transparently pass these reductions onto consumers.

Click Energy customers will be disappointed to hear that as well as seeing a 5.87% increase in the unit rate of electricity they pay, from 1 October 2019 they will also have to pay a standing charge of 8.895p or 11.138p per day.

Natural gas consumers in the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast areas will welcome Firmus Energy Supply’s decision to decrease its prices by 8.77% from 1 October 2019, according to The Consumer Council.

Consumers in Northern Ireland need to be provided with clear and transparent information as to why the price they pay for their electricity has increased, according to The Consumer Council.

The Consumer Council is disappointed after Power NI’s announcement of a tariff increase, which has occurred despite a decrease in wholesale energy prices over the past year.

The Consumer Council welcomes the publication of the Utility Regulator’s conclusion following its investigation into SSE Airtricity Energy Supply Ltd and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply Ltd.

John French, Chief Executive of The Consumer Council said, “We welcome the publication of the Utility Regulator’s plan to investigate SSE Airtricity."

The Consumer Council encourages consumers to register their details if they need additional support.

Tariffs to increase by 10.38% from 29 November 2018.

Make today the day you aim to bring down the cost of your home energy!

Last week’s Storm Ali caused many power cuts across Northern Ireland and approximately 90,000 homes were without energy. The vast majority of these (circa 95%) were fixed within 24 hours.

The Consumer Council is urging natural gas customers to consider ways to save on their household energy bills, following the announcement that Firmus Energy is to increase gas prices by 12% in the Ten Towns area from 1 October 2018 and Greater Belfast from 4 October 2018.

Review your energy bills, advises The Consumer Council.

Electric Ireland have today announced they will be increasing their prices by 13.3%, which will come into effect from 1 October 2018. This will see the typical Electric Ireland customer needing to find an extra £64 per year.

Power NI to increase electricity tariffs by 13.8% with effect from 1 October 2018.

27,000 Click Energy customers across Northern Ireland will be affected by a 9.68% electricity price increase. The Consumer Council says this is unwelcome news, and we encourage all consumers to review whether they are on the best deal for their electricity. 

The Consumer Council strongly welcomes today’s announcement by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that there has been a significant drop in fuel poverty in Northern Ireland from 42% of households in 2011, to 22% in 2016.

First published: 16 May 2018

SGN Natural Gas are running natural gas information days in the Strabane area throughout April and May.

The Consumer Council has welcomed the announcement that, as of today, the electricity connections market is open to other service providers.

The Consumer Council is urging Firmus Energy gas customers in the Ten Towns  and Greater Belfast areas to consider ways to save on their household energy bills. This follows the announcement that Firmus Energy is to put up gas prices in the Ten Towns area by 6.8% from 5 April 2018, and in the Greater Belfast market by 8.8% from 16 April 2018. 

SSE Airtricity Gas Tariff Increase to Affect 150,000 Customers

We have a range of useful guides and fact sheets that may be of use during bad weather. Please also see below for other useful contact numbers.

Pay As You Go Energy Top Up Scam.

The Consumer Council and PSNI are advising consumers to be extra vigilant about bogus callers on your doorstep or social media sites offering discounted pay as you go electricity top ups. This is a scam and consumers doing this will end up paying twice for their energy supply.

Click Energy are fourth company to announce tariff increase

With Electric Ireland’s 7.2% tariff increase announced today, The Consumer Council is urging you to check if there is a better energy deal to help you save money.

Energy “Price Cap” already exists in Northern Ireland

We have a range of useful guides and fact sheets that may be of use during bad weather. Please also see below for other useful contact numbers.

The Consumer Council is encouraging Northern Ireland households to shop around and save up to £145 a year on their electricity bill.

Responding to the first domestic tariff increase by Power NI since July 2013, The Consumer Council recognises it will be unwelcome news for consumers, but it reflects an increase in the wholesale cost of electricity

The Consumer Council helps farmers save money

Bryson Energy staff have learned firsthand how to exercise their rights as consumers, thanks to a recent visit by The Consumer Council at their workplace in Enniskillen and Belfast.

The Consumer Council welcomes the outcome of the Final Determination from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Firmus Energy’s appeal against the Utility Regulator’s GD17 Price Control.

The Consumer Council would like to make small businesses aware that following Power NI’s price control review by the Utility Regulator, Power NI’s small businesses tariffs will no longer be regulated, as of 1 April 2017.

Northern Ireland consumers will have the opportunity to raise the issues most important to them, learn about their consumer rights and how to save money at the Consumer Council’s inaugural Consumer Parliament on Friday 24 March 2017.

Firmus Energy customers in both the Greater Belfast and the “Ten Towns” markets will be disappointed to find out that they have to find extra money for their gas bills after the supplier announced an increase of 12.2%.

SSE Airtricity gas customers in the Greater Belfast area will have to find extra money for their gas bills after SSE announced an increase of 7.6% with effect from the 31 March 2017.

The Consumer Council is informing former Open Electric customers that they now have the opportunity to switch electricity supplier after they were automatically transferred to Power NI as part of the Supplier of Last Resort process, when the company ceased trading on the 18 December 2016.

Consumer Council advises Open Electric Customers that their electricity supply is unaffected.

The Consumer Council is encouraging households to check if they are on the best deal for their electricity. This follows Budget Energy's decision to remove, or reduce, discounts on some of their existing tariffs.

Price of 500 litres of home heating oil has increased by 20% in last three months.

Blog post by Keelin Kelly

Gas Safety Week 19 – 25 September 2016
The Consumer Council is urging all consumers to ensure their gas appliances are serviced as part of Gas Safety Week, which runs from 19 – 25 September 2016.

For the first time in Northern Ireland consumers have helped shape proposals to reduce power cuts, increase resilience against severe weather and ensure future electricity needs are met.

NI energy consumers advised to shop around to save money.

Consumer Council's New Energy Price Comparison Site to Save Consumers Money!

The Consumer Council has welcomed today’s news that Click Energy will be reducing prices for domestic customers by 2.7% from 1 May 2016.

The Consumer Council is today launching an online survey to find out what information and resources Northern Ireland businesses and non-profit organisations need to help them reduce their energy bills.

The Consumer Council is currently inviting views on its draft Corporate Plan 2016-21 and Forward Work Programme 2016-17.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by Firmus Energy of a 7.7% price reduction for its 28,000 gas customers in the ‘Ten Towns’ licence area.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by firmus energy of a 9.75% price reduction for its 50,000 gas customers in the Greater Belfast area.

The Consumer Council has welcomed the news today that Electric Ireland will be reducing prices for domestic customers by 10% from 21 March.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by SSE Airtricity of a 10.2% price reduction for its 135,000 gas customers in the Greater Belfast area and a 10.3% reduction for its 210,000 electricity customers across Northern Ireland.

The Consumer Council has welcomed Power NI’s 10.3% tariff reduction. The Consumer Council’s Head of Energy, Richard Williams said: “This is good news for Power NI customers. Domestic consumers will see prices reduce by around £54 per year and £200 for regulated business customers.

The Consumer Council is advising people to get a head start on their New Year’s resolutions by checking whether they could save money by switching electricity supplier.

The Consumer Council’s Head of Energy Policy, Richard Williams, said: “The Consumer Council welcomes the extension of the natural gas network into East Down as it will mean more choice for around 25,000 consumers and around 2,000 small businesses.

The Consumer Council in partnership with Advice NI, Citizens Advice Bureau Northern Ireland and the Law Centre NI yesterday (07 October 2015) signed the ‘Consumer Rights Initiative’ Memorandum of Understanding.

The Consumer Council welcomes Firmus Energy’s decision to reduce natural gas tariffs in the Greater Belfast area by up to 10 per cent and 5 per cent in the Ten Towns licence area.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by SSE Airtricity of a 10 per cent tariff reduction for its natural gas customers in Greater Belfast.

The Consumer Council’s weekly home heating oil survey has revealed that prices in Northern Ireland are at their lowest in six years.

Farmers and householders can potentially save money on utility bills and the Consumer Council will show them how, when it attends this year’s Balmoral Show from Wednesday 13 – Friday 15 May 2015.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by firmus energy of a 6.38 per cent price reduction for its 48,000 gas customers in the Greater Belfast area. This follows last week’s announcement by SSE Airtricity of a 7.8 per cent price reduction for Belfast gas customers.

The Consumer Council welcomes today’s announcement by SSE Airtricity of a 7.8 per cent price reduction for its 127,000 gas customers in the Greater Belfast area and an 8 per cent price reduction for its 170,000 electricity customers across Northern Ireland.

The Consumer Council has welcomed today’s announcement by Power NI to decrease its domestic tariffs by 9.2 per cent from 01 April 2015.

Welcoming the price reduction announcement by Budget Energy Ltd, Aodhan O ‘Donnell, interim chief executive of The Consumer Council said “We had recently written to all electricity companies asking them to review their prices on the back of wholesale energy price reductions. Budget Energy's 60,000 customers will welcome their decision to reduce all current domestic tariffs by 5%. This reduction gives a typical Budget customer an annual saving of £32.”

Now the weather has turned frosty and people are pulling out the winter woollies, the Consumer Council is urging consumers to get a copy of its ‘Weather the Winter’ leaflet to be winter ready in the event of severe weather.

Opinion piece by Richard Williams, Head of Energy at the Consumer Council.

Householders rely on energy for almost all of their everyday activities. Recent Consumer Council research showed that in terms of household budgets, it is the top concern.

The Consumer Council has today revealed that despite positive signs emerging in the wider economy, these are not filtering through to consumers, with 70 per cent not yet feeling the green shoots of economic recovery.

Consumers who shop around and switch could save up to £158 on average per year on their electricity

Come along to the Consumer Council’s ‘Energy Switch and Save’ event for free and independent information on the energy switching process and bring along your bill to find out if you are on the best deal.

This event will take place on:
• Monday 20 October - 1pm to 3pm at the City Hotel, Derry/Londonderry
• Thursday 23 October 1pm – 3pm at the Spires Conference Centre, Belfast

We may all be enjoying the good weather but at the same time you could also be thinking of stocking up on your home heating oil ahead of the autumn.

Almost £500,000 has made its way back to consumers' pockets over the last year after they turned to the Consumer Council for help with their complaint.

A new mandatory Marketing Code of Practice to guard against mis-selling to Northern Ireland’s electricity and gas consumers has been introduced by the Utility Regulator in consultation with a range of stakeholders, particularly the Consumer Council.

The Consumer Council has welcomed the Competition Commission’s final determination which sets the cost to be paid for electricity by consumers over the next three years.

Making information consumers want clearer and easier to access has been the key aim of the new updated Consumer Council website, which has gone live.

How would you like to trim thousands of pounds off your annual household spend? Find out how small changes can make big savings on household bills by signing up for the Consumer Council’s free half-day workshop on Friday 07 March 2014 at the NICVA Headquarters (61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2BG) from 9.30am until 1.00pm followed by lunch.

The last week of January has been designated Big Energy Saving Week in a national bid to raise awareness of energy and efficiency issues and help consumers find ways to cut their fuel bills.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) consultation on the future of consumer representation in Northern Ireland has now closed and as readers will expect, the Consumer Council has submitted an in depth response. However, what has been really encouraging is that so many others took time to set out their reasons why consumer representation in Northern Ireland should be strengthened - not diminished or dismantled.

The Consumer Council is urging vulnerable consumers who might need additional support in the event of a loss of electricity, gas or water supplies to make sure that they are on the Customer Care and Critical Care Registers held by electricity, gas and water companies.

The Consumer Council and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation (NIOF) have developed an industry first ‘Customer Charter’ to offer home heating oil consumers service guarantees such as a formalised complaints process, as well as flexible payment options and energy efficiency advice.

While this Monday is heralded to be ‘Blue Monday’, the most depressing day of the calendar year, the Consumer Council has said there are 1,628 reasons why it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.

The Consumer Council is reminding the public that the deadline for the consultation on its future is Friday 17 January. It is encouraging consumers to make their voice heard if they wish to see the organisation remain in place.

The Consumer Council has published details of how it plans to represent consumers in energy, water and transport issues from April 2014 to March 2015 and is now inviting views from interested parties by 21 March 2014.

Reduce the number of energy efficiency schemes and concentrate spending on high impact measures such as boiler replacement and insulation programmes which target fuel poor households, area by area. That’s the recommendation of a new report on energy efficiency in Northern Ireland from the Consumer Council.

The Consumer Council has encouraged people living in Northern Ireland to make their voice heard in the ongoing public consultation on its future.

Shopping around, switching supplier and shopping safely online are just some of the money-saving strategies to be discussed at a free Consumer Council workshop in Lisburn on Friday 13 December.

The Consumer Council assesses and contributes to all price control processes with consumers' interests, and only consumers' interests, in mind.

It’s not just the colder, darker nights that are securing energy’s place as the top concern for Northern Ireland’s consumers. Energy bills have held the top spot for some considerable time in NI.

The Consumer Council is disappointed that firmus energy customers in the Ten Towns licence area will have to find extra money for their energy bills after firmus announced an increase of 14.4 per cent with effect from 1st October 2013.

The Consumer Council is urging consumers to protect their homes should the predicted change in the weather result in flash flooding in some areas.

The Consumer Council is heading to the Antrim show at Shane’s Castle on Saturday 27 July, one of a number of shows it is attending during the summer. Consumer Council staff will be available to members of the public who have any queries on consumer issues, including how to get the best deals on water and energy bills.

In the doom and gloom of the recession it’s not often people try to give us money. However, that is what the Consumer Council has done, helping to put £300,000 back into the pockets of 278 consumers, who went to the organisation last year with a complaint about energy, transport or water.

The Consumer Council has said it is frustrated that Budget Energy, the third domestic electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, has announced it too will be increasing its prices by up to 17.96 per cent from 1 July 2013.

The Consumer Council has said it is disappointed that Airtricity is to put prices up by 17.8 per cent from 1 July 2013, but says consumers still have options to make savings.

Consumers could save an average £161 this year by switching, if other electricity suppliers do not follow Power NI’s 17.8 per cent increase announced today, the Consumer Council has said.

Consumer Council Chief Executive, Antoinette McKeown, said: “The cost of energy is one of the biggest concerns for people in Northern Ireland today. Around 70 per cent of people here heat their home with oil, which increased in price, on average, by 60 per cent between 2009 and 2012.

The Competition Commission ruling on Phoenix Natural Gas (PNG) will have an impact on gas customers in the Greater Belfast and Larne areas according to the Consumer Council.

The CEO of the Consumer Council, Antoinette McKeown has expressed concern at the news today that NIE and the Utility Regulator have failed to come to an agreement regarding a price control for the distribution and transmission of electricity in NI (RP5 price control).

A range of organisations including the Consumer Council, Bryson Energy, part of the Bryson Charitable Group, Fold Housing Association and Derry City Council have come together to work on an innovative energy brokering pilot project in a bid to lower prices for consumers. The Pilot commences in October and will last for six months when it will be evaluated and potentially rolled out widely across Northern Ireland.

Introduction

The Consumer Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation.

The Consumer Council spent two days at the Fermanagh County Show this week giving advice and information to visitors.
According to CEO of the Consumer Council Antoinette McKeown, the cost of water was a big issue for local farmers and switching energy providers was a matter of concern for many others.

Following the news that the Competition Commission has ruled that the Utility Regulator was not justified in attempting to place a new price control on Phoenix Gas, the CEO of the Consumer Council Antoinette McKeown has said that weak regulation has failed the consumer but has welcomed the fact that the Competition Commission has taken into account considerations put forward by the Consumer Council in making their decision.

The Consumer Council and the Utility Regulator made a joint presentation to voluntary sector stakeholders on the NIE Price Control 2012-17 (RP5) on the 12 June 2012.

The Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Coalition is bringing their fight against fuel poverty to Stormont today at an event in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings Stormont. Experts from across the five Nations; England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will examine the main fuel poverty policies and interventions implemented in each of the Nations and identify what could work for the 44 per cent of households here in fuel poverty.

The Consumer Council has provided its submission to the Competition Commission’s inquiry into the Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd Price Control determination’. Please click the link below for more information.

From 21 May 2012, new IT systems are being introduced to Northern Ireland’s electricity market.  The new system will improve the process of switching electricity suppliers for all customers. 

Today’s consultation by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (the Regulator) into the costs required to maintain and develop the electricity network – the poles and wires that transport electricity to people’s homes - has highlighted a potentially promising result for consumers.

The Consumer Council has welcomed the news that a pilot Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) scheme for home heating oil has been introduced in Northern Ireland (NI). The scheme, operating in 20 homes in Dungannon, Camlough and Newcastle, allows consumers to buy the amount of oil they need, which is then released from the consumer’s oil tank. A meter installed in the home helps the householder keep track of how much they have spent. It is hoped that the scheme can enable consumers to budget for their home heating oil, without resorting to using 20 litre emergency oil drums.

A single department with responsibility for all energy matters, the radical reduction of Northern Ireland’s dependency on home heating oil, and renewable electricity-based heating for the south and west where gas networks may never reach, are just three of the recommendations of a new report on the energy industry in Northern Ireland. The independent report, ‘Energising Northern Ireland’, was commissioned by the Consumer Council and produced by former GB energy Minister, Lord Whitty.

The Consumer Council has welcomed today’s news that Phoenix Supply will reduce its tariff by 8.5 per cent from 1 April 2012 for its Belfast-based domestic and small business customers. The average annual Phoenix bill will be £550 from the 1 April giving an annual saving of £51 or £4.25 per month for over 130,000 Phoenix Supply customers.

•Why does the price of electricity produced by wind generators rise when the price of gas rises1?
•Why does the most expensive electricity generator set the price that is paid to all generators on the Island of Ireland2?
•Why are some generators making profit margins of between 20 and 50 per cent when NI’s top 100 companies are seeing margins between 1 and 6 per cent?
•Why are wind generators paid for being on standby when the wind is not blowing?

With the continuing severe weather across Northern Ireland the Consumer Council is reminding people of the practical steps they can take if their electricity goes off or if their travel is cancelled.

The Consumer Council’s Head of Energy, John French said: “The Consumer Council welcomes confirmation from Maxol Direct/DCC Energy that it will refund direct debit customers within a few days and offer them a goodwill gesture. However, this error has occurred a week before pay day for many people and a few weeks before Christmas, so it could cause significant inconvenience as well as bank charges if customers go into the red. We are calling on Maxol Direct/DCC Energy to confirm it will cover these charges for anybody affected by the company error.

The Consumer Council has reminded energy users that higher electricity and gas prices kick in today, 1 October, following last month’s series of announcements from energy suppliers. The price rises which range from 18.6 per cent for electricity to 35.4 per cent for gas, will see consumers paying on average an extra £200 a year on heating and lighting their home.

The Fuel Poverty Coalition held a special event on Friday, 23 September 2011 in Derry City’s Millennium Forum to examine and discuss practical solutions to the fuel poverty crisis affecting a growing number of households in Northern Ireland. Around 80 organisations and elected political representatives from across Northern Ireland came together to discuss how to tackle this increasingly important issue.

The Fuel Poverty Coalition will hold a special event this Friday, 23 September 2011 in Derry City’s Millennium Forum to examine and discuss practical solutions to the fuel poverty crisis affecting a growing number of households in Northern Ireland. Around 80 organisations and elected political representatives from across Northern Ireland will come together to discuss how to tackle this increasingly important issue.

The decision by firmus energy to increase prices as their current ‘price freeze’ period comes to an end is a blow for their customers in Belfast. Firmus customers will now see the cost of their gas increase by 35 per cent from the 1 October 2011.

The Consumer Council has questioned whether NI electricity customers are getting the best possible prices following the announcement of AES (Northern Ireland) £50million pre-tax profit.

With bad weather predicted to hit Northern Ireland the Consumer Council is reminding people of the practical steps they can take if their electricity goes off.

The announcement today by firmus energy to increase the price of domestic gas in the Ten Towns Licence area by 28.4% calls further into question how households in Northern Ireland will be able to afford to heat their homes this winter.

The Consumer Council welcomes the introduction of competition for around 55,000 Belfast gas consumers who have Pay As You Go Meters. From today all natural gas customers in Greater Belfast and Larne will be able to switch their gas supplier.

The Consumer Council has said today’s announcement from the Coal Advisory Service that the price of coal in Northern Ireland will rise between four and ten per cent this September is yet a further blow for consumers who are struggling with their energy costs. Although only around five per cent of households in Northern Ireland use coal to solely heat their homes, there is an increasing number of households that use coal fires as a means of complementing their central heating systems.

The Consumer Council has called for four key actions following today’s announcement from Power NI that an 18.6 per cent electricity price rise will take effect from 1 October. Describing it as a massive blow for consumers coming into winter, the Consumer Council has called on the NI Executive to take practical steps to address the problem.

With the continuing severe weather across Northern Ireland the Consumer Council is reminding people of the practical steps they can take if their electricity goes off.

The announcement today (21 April) by Phoenix (PSL) that gas prices are set to rise by almost 40 per cent is a massive blow for their customers in Greater Belfast. This represents the biggest increase witnessed in the UK gas market in recent years.

As the average price for 900 litres of home heating oil passes the £550 mark for the first time since July 2008, the Consumer Council is calling on the new Northern Ireland Executive to examine the need for regulating the industry as a key priority following the upcoming Assembly Elections.

Consumer Council monitoring of local fuel prices just before and after the Budget (23 March) show that the reduction in fuel duty by one pence has not fully filtered through to the price motorists pay at the pumps. In the week after the Budget, figures show that the average price across NI for unleaded fell by 0.75 pence per litre (ppl) and for diesel 0.5ppl.

John French, Head of Energy at the Consumer Council said: “firmus Energy customers will be breathing a sigh of relief today as the company announces a price freeze until October 2011. The price freeze is welcomed by the Consumer Council; with energy and fuel prices at such high levels, any let up to household bills is good news.

The Consumer Council believes that the Department of Social Development’s new Fuel Poverty Strategy 2011 to 2015 for Northern Ireland is an opportunity for all Departments within the Northern Ireland Executive to work strategically together in eradicating fuel poverty so that every household is able to live in a warm home.

The Consumer Council issued its Election Manifesto 2011 today highlighting four key areas for change that Northern Ireland consumers have told them they would like the Northern Ireland Assembly to address in the forthcoming Election

As the average price for 900 litres of home heating oil breaks through the £500 mark for the first time in over two years and with prices varying by up to £58 the Consumer Council is calling for the NI Executive to examine the need for regulating the industry. Northern Ireland has seen the price of home heating oil accelerate by 87 per cent in the last two years .

With the coldest December and January on record, the Consumer Council is urging consumers to review how much energy they have used to avoid surprises in their next gas or electricity bill.

The Consumer Council is urging households to be ‘switched on’ to saving money on their energy bills, keeping their homes safe and warm and getting information on energy efficiency grants. The comments came today as the Consumer Council launches ‘Switch On’, a series of thirteen leaflets covering all you need to know about keeping your house warm and your energy bills down.

As unleaded nears £1.30 a litre(1) and diesel is already over £1.30 a litre in many areas, the Consumer Council has reiterated its call for consultation on the possible introduction of a ‘Fuel Price Stabiliser'(2) to cushion future petrol prices against large shifts in the price of oil – as committed to in the Conservative election campaign.

‘Preparation is key’ is the advice given by the Consumer Council today (23 December 2010). Severe weather has caused havoc for the past three weeks and looks set to continue over the Christmas period. The Consumer Council has published advice on how to deal with frozen pipes, power cuts and keeping your house warm. The information also contains emergency telephone numbers that could help you through Christmas safely.

With another severe weather warning issued for today(a)(16 December), householders and travellers can expect some disruption to their electricity and water supply or their travel plans over the next few days. The Consumer Council is re-issuing a series of up-to-date factsheets offering advice on how to prepare in advance for frozen water pipes and flooding, black outs and travel disruption.

The Consumer Council and representatives of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation met on Tuesday 14 December at the offices of the Consumer Council in Belfast.

The stark reality that poorer people pay more for everyday essentials will be
highlighted today at a Consumer Council led event. Around 50 organisations from
the private and public sectors will meet at Clifton House – the Poor House - to
agree key actions and changes that will make a difference to the everyday lives of
people on low incomes.
This event aims to illustrate how people who are less well off tend to pay more for
some necessities and are often unable to access the best deal.