Gas Prices to Fall in Northern Ireland

200,000 customers in Northern Ireland will see their energy bills drop by more than £100 a year, as two major gas suppliers slash prices in response to falling wholesale costs.

Firmus Energy, the only gas supplier in the regulated Ten Towns area, will cut prices by 21.2% from the start of April. 46,000 customers will see their bills fall by an average of £135 a year. 

The price cut follows a 8.77% reduction in October, meaning gas prices are now 30% cheaper than it was last summer for customers in Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Craigavon, Derry Limavady and Newry.

Michael Scott, managing director of Firmus Energy, said: "This is more good news for customers in our Ten Towns network area and is particularly welcome against a backdrop of increased living costs.”

Customers of Firms Energy in Belfast won’t benefit from the price reductions, but those signed to be supplied by rival SSE Airtricity will. 

SE Airtricity will trim gas prices by 18.7% for customers in the Greater Belfast area from April. 163,000 customers will see typical bills fall by £108 a year.

Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity general manager (Northern Ireland), said: “This is welcome news for our customers who chose to switch to greener energy with SSE Airtricity.”

SSE Airtricity supplies electricity which is one-third renewable. However, its natural gas doesn't contain any percentage of renewable 'green gas.'

According to the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland, the price cuts are a result of a significant decrease in the cost of gas on the wholesale market. They could also herald cuts in electricity prices as well.

The regulator’s chief executive Jenny Pyper, said: “In relation to electricity, we have begun a review with Power NI regarding their domestic regulated tariffs and expect an announcement in the coming months.

“Whilst we can't pre-empt the outcome, given the falls being seen in wholesale prices, I would be hopeful of a positive outcome for electricity consumers before the summer.”