Cost of living crisis: Energy price hikes come into effect across NI
The increases will add as much as £372 onto typical annual bills
Energy price hikes have been introduced across Northern Ireland today.
The increases are expected to impact more than half of households across the country and will add as much as £372 onto typical annual bills.
SSE Airtricity customers in greater belfast will feel their GAS prices go up by 42.7% .
Firmus Energy gas customers will notice a 24.5% rise.
As for electricity, Power NI is increasing electricity prices by 27.5% across all of Northern Ireland, while Click Energy's Northern Ireland tariff's are rising by 11%.
Peter McClenaghan, Director of Infrastructure and sustainability at the Consumer Council said: “At the Consumer Council we speak to consumers every day who are upset and worried about the winter ahead. We urge anyone who is struggling to pay their energy bills or to top-up their meter, to contact their supplier directly for help with payment plans for bill pay / direct debit and prepayment meters.
"We also encourage bill pay consumers to submit your meter reading using your suppliers’ online or automated service to avoid any estimated bills. Also, we would ask consumers to think about ways they can reduce their energy costs through energy efficiency and, if possible, try to save over the summer months to cover energy costs during winter 2022-23."
The financial support announced by the Chancellor will help pensioners, people with disabilities, and those on qualifying benefits. We know people are desperate for that support and we would ask those who will receive these funds, if you can, plan for heating your home this winter when deciding how to use the money you receive in July.
There is also an urgent need for clarity on, if, how, and when the Chancellor’s £400 energy support package will be made available everyone in Northern Ireland.”
How to listen to Cool FM: