Menu
02/11/2022
SSE Airtricity And Firmus Energy Remove Minimum Consumption Charge
SSE Airtricity and Firmus Energy have both announced the removal of their minimum consumption charge for its gas customers.
The minimum consumption charge is part of a customer's bill and is included to cover the fixed costs of the gas network. Whilst this charge could be applied to all natural gas consumers, it is only those low users of gas (where their consumption is less than 1,700 KWh per year) that have had to pay this charge.
Welcoming the announcement, Kevin Shiels, Director of Retail and Consumer Protection at the Utility Regulator, said: "As a regulator, whose primary aim is to protect the interests of energy consumers, we recognise that these are tough times for consumers who are facing the burden of dramatically increased energy bills. We have been pro-actively exploring ways of supporting consumers during this difficult time.
"Natural gas consumers have recently raised concerns with us about the minimum consumption charge that is included in their bills, particularly where consumers' energy usage has been low or significantly reduced.
"Having engaged with the two domestic regulated gas suppliers, SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy, we are pleased that both suppliers have agreed that low use gas customers will not have the minimum consumption charge included in their bills from 1 November 2022.
"This is good news for consumers. Natural gas consumers don't need to do anything and the removal of the charge will be applied automatically from 1 November 2022. This will provide some much-needed relief to those gas consumers on their energy costs this winter and beyond.
"This announcement follows our decision announced last week, to review energy supplier direct debit arrangements to ensure that these reflect individual consumer circumstances. Along with today's announcement, this demonstrates our commitment to do everything we can to practically protect the interests of energy consumers in Northern Ireland."
The minimum consumption charge is part of a customer's bill and is included to cover the fixed costs of the gas network. Whilst this charge could be applied to all natural gas consumers, it is only those low users of gas (where their consumption is less than 1,700 KWh per year) that have had to pay this charge.
Welcoming the announcement, Kevin Shiels, Director of Retail and Consumer Protection at the Utility Regulator, said: "As a regulator, whose primary aim is to protect the interests of energy consumers, we recognise that these are tough times for consumers who are facing the burden of dramatically increased energy bills. We have been pro-actively exploring ways of supporting consumers during this difficult time.
"Natural gas consumers have recently raised concerns with us about the minimum consumption charge that is included in their bills, particularly where consumers' energy usage has been low or significantly reduced.
"Having engaged with the two domestic regulated gas suppliers, SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy, we are pleased that both suppliers have agreed that low use gas customers will not have the minimum consumption charge included in their bills from 1 November 2022.
"This is good news for consumers. Natural gas consumers don't need to do anything and the removal of the charge will be applied automatically from 1 November 2022. This will provide some much-needed relief to those gas consumers on their energy costs this winter and beyond.
"This announcement follows our decision announced last week, to review energy supplier direct debit arrangements to ensure that these reflect individual consumer circumstances. Along with today's announcement, this demonstrates our commitment to do everything we can to practically protect the interests of energy consumers in Northern Ireland."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 February 2003
NI consumers satisfied with natural gas
Price and convenience make natural gas a winner with Northern Ireland’s consumers, the latest NI energy survey has revealed. The latest Gas Watch report by consumers watchdog, the General Consumer Council (GCC) revealed that almost 80% of gas consumers found their costs to be as expected or lower than expected.
NI consumers satisfied with natural gas
Price and convenience make natural gas a winner with Northern Ireland’s consumers, the latest NI energy survey has revealed. The latest Gas Watch report by consumers watchdog, the General Consumer Council (GCC) revealed that almost 80% of gas consumers found their costs to be as expected or lower than expected.
02 November 2007
Inter-Ireland Gas Pipe Completed
Significant development of the gas industry in five major towns and cities along the route of the new inter-Ireland gas pipe is expected to follow completion of the natural gas interconnection. Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon - including Portadown and Lurgan - and Newry are all expected to benefit from the gas facility.
Inter-Ireland Gas Pipe Completed
Significant development of the gas industry in five major towns and cities along the route of the new inter-Ireland gas pipe is expected to follow completion of the natural gas interconnection. Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon - including Portadown and Lurgan - and Newry are all expected to benefit from the gas facility.
13 May 2008
Undersea Gas Storage Plan Revealed
Imaginative plans to store natural gas deep under Larne Lough look set to go ahead. If test bores carried out by two energy companies are successful, Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Portland Gas hope to start storing gas there within a few years if their tests show the area to be suitable.
Undersea Gas Storage Plan Revealed
Imaginative plans to store natural gas deep under Larne Lough look set to go ahead. If test bores carried out by two energy companies are successful, Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Portland Gas hope to start storing gas there within a few years if their tests show the area to be suitable.
13 August 2014
'Preferred Applicants' For West Gas Project Announced
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Scotia Gas Networks have been selected as the 'preferred applicants' for a project to extend the gas network to the west of the region, including Dungannon, Coalisland, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Omagh, Strabane, Enniskillen, and Derrylin.
'Preferred Applicants' For West Gas Project Announced
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Scotia Gas Networks have been selected as the 'preferred applicants' for a project to extend the gas network to the west of the region, including Dungannon, Coalisland, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Omagh, Strabane, Enniskillen, and Derrylin.
16 February 2005
WWF urge NI to keep up with Kyoto strategy
WWF Northern Ireland today urged the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment (DETI) to put an effective long-term energy strategy in place to help deal with climate change.
WWF urge NI to keep up with Kyoto strategy
WWF Northern Ireland today urged the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment (DETI) to put an effective long-term energy strategy in place to help deal with climate change.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
