Menu
10/09/2008
NI Energy Prices Set To Rise
Northern Ireland households are set to be hit by further rises in their energy bills, with electricity prices set to rise by a third and gas prices to rise by nearly 20% from the start of next month.
The increases come just two months after electricity prices rose by 14%, while gas prices rose by 28% in May.
The latest increases mean that the average annual household electricity bill will now reach £585, while the average annual gas bill will rise to £689.
The cost of Economy 7 heating, which is used in around 4% of homes in Northern Ireland, will also increase by a third.
Stephen McCully, NIE Energy Managing Director, blamed the rises on the costs of wholesale fuel, which had increased by over 100% on average in the last year.
He said: "NIE Energy regrets having to pass such a sizeable increase on to customers, but the sustained very high power purchase costs have left us with no alternative.
"I would like to assure our customers that if NIE Energy is able to secure the purchase of lower cost power during 2009, this will be passed on to customers in the autumn 2009 price review.
"This is a tough economic climate and we are concerned about the impact of this increase on our customers, particularly those on lower incomes. If you are worried about paying for electricity, please contact us. There is help available for those who need it most."
David Strahan, General Manager of Phoenix Supply, said: "Phoenix, like all energy companies across the UK, is experiencing record high wholesale gas costs. A price increase of any size is not welcome news, but in the face of such large increases in wholesale gas costs, we have no alternative but to review prices.
"When the price Phoenix paid in wholesale markets reduced in the past, we were able to pass these savings on to our customers. If, as we hope, world-wide energy prices fall, Phoenix will, once again, reflect any savings in the price our customers pay."
However, Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, said that the price rises were "truly shocking" and warned that people would "struggle to cope". She said: "The Consumer Council accepts that our electricity and gas bills have to go up to cover the rising costs of wholesale energy. Having considered all the information provided to us, we accept that Phoenix's level of increase bears scrutiny and is broadly in line with the rest of the UK.
"However NIE Energy's scale of increase is not and it needs urgent and further explanation - in just 10 months their rate of increase has almost doubled compared to the rest of the UK even though we are told that global energy prices are behind these rises. The Consumer Council cannot accept an increase of this scale until this fundamental question is fully answered."
(KMcA/JM)
The increases come just two months after electricity prices rose by 14%, while gas prices rose by 28% in May.
The latest increases mean that the average annual household electricity bill will now reach £585, while the average annual gas bill will rise to £689.
The cost of Economy 7 heating, which is used in around 4% of homes in Northern Ireland, will also increase by a third.
Stephen McCully, NIE Energy Managing Director, blamed the rises on the costs of wholesale fuel, which had increased by over 100% on average in the last year.
He said: "NIE Energy regrets having to pass such a sizeable increase on to customers, but the sustained very high power purchase costs have left us with no alternative.
"I would like to assure our customers that if NIE Energy is able to secure the purchase of lower cost power during 2009, this will be passed on to customers in the autumn 2009 price review.
"This is a tough economic climate and we are concerned about the impact of this increase on our customers, particularly those on lower incomes. If you are worried about paying for electricity, please contact us. There is help available for those who need it most."
David Strahan, General Manager of Phoenix Supply, said: "Phoenix, like all energy companies across the UK, is experiencing record high wholesale gas costs. A price increase of any size is not welcome news, but in the face of such large increases in wholesale gas costs, we have no alternative but to review prices.
"When the price Phoenix paid in wholesale markets reduced in the past, we were able to pass these savings on to our customers. If, as we hope, world-wide energy prices fall, Phoenix will, once again, reflect any savings in the price our customers pay."
However, Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, said that the price rises were "truly shocking" and warned that people would "struggle to cope". She said: "The Consumer Council accepts that our electricity and gas bills have to go up to cover the rising costs of wholesale energy. Having considered all the information provided to us, we accept that Phoenix's level of increase bears scrutiny and is broadly in line with the rest of the UK.
"However NIE Energy's scale of increase is not and it needs urgent and further explanation - in just 10 months their rate of increase has almost doubled compared to the rest of the UK even though we are told that global energy prices are behind these rises. The Consumer Council cannot accept an increase of this scale until this fundamental question is fully answered."
(KMcA/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
06 September 2011
Wholesale Market 'Forces Gas Price Rise'
The gas supplier, firmus energy - that has been providing natural gas since 2005 across Northern Ireland - has announced details of its new tariff, which will see domestic prices increase by 28.4% from 1st October.
Wholesale Market 'Forces Gas Price Rise'
The gas supplier, firmus energy - that has been providing natural gas since 2005 across Northern Ireland - has announced details of its new tariff, which will see domestic prices increase by 28.4% from 1st October.
16 August 2018
Electricity Prices To Rise On 01 October
Power NI is to increase its electricity prices by 13.8 %. This is the firms biggest price rise in 5 years. The price increase will come into effect on 01 October 2018. Stephen McCully, Managing Director of Power NI, said: "Putting our prices up is the last thing we want to do, but unfortunately we are at the mercy of fluctuating world fuel prices.
Electricity Prices To Rise On 01 October
Power NI is to increase its electricity prices by 13.8 %. This is the firms biggest price rise in 5 years. The price increase will come into effect on 01 October 2018. Stephen McCully, Managing Director of Power NI, said: "Putting our prices up is the last thing we want to do, but unfortunately we are at the mercy of fluctuating world fuel prices.
13 March 2018
Firmus Energy To Increase Gas Prices
Firmus Energy has announced a rise in gas prices starting from next month. The increase will affect customers in the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast areas. The firm said the decision was "unavoidable". From the 05 April, Firmus Energy customers in the Ten Towns network area will see a price increase of 6.8%.
Firmus Energy To Increase Gas Prices
Firmus Energy has announced a rise in gas prices starting from next month. The increase will affect customers in the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast areas. The firm said the decision was "unavoidable". From the 05 April, Firmus Energy customers in the Ten Towns network area will see a price increase of 6.8%.
-
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.
