SSE Airtricity announces 42.7% gas price increase
It impacts customers in the greater Belfast and Western gas network areas.
SSE Airtricity Gas Supply has announced a 42.7% price increase for domestic and small business customers in the Greater Belfast and western areas.
The price hike means that the average domestic gas bill will increase by £373 to £1,243 per year from the start of July.
The rise will impact around 187,000 homes in Northern Ireland.
It is the latest in a series of energy price rises to impact consumers in Northern Ireland and comes on top of a 33% hike in the company's electricity prices which came into effect on Wednesday.
Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity general manager for Northern Ireland said: "The cost of purchasing natural gas has remained at its highest level in over a decade and at times in recent months, it has hit record highs.
"We would encourage any customer who is having difficulty with their energy costs to please contact us, and we will work with you to find a solution together."
John French, chief executive of the Utility Regulator said: "In April 2022 the Utility Regulator began a review of SSE Airtricity Gas Supply's regulated gas tariff.
"We have now completed our analysis of all of their costs and undertaken a consultation with both the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
"The review process has concluded and we have accepted their submission to increase their regulated tariff by 42.7% from July 1."
He added: "Following this increase, the gas yearly bill for an SSE Airtricity Gas Supply average domestic credit customer will increase by £373 to £1,243 a year.
"While we regret the scale of this increase, and worry about the impact on households, the number one reason for this increase is the extremely high global wholesale energy costs.
"I understand this is not an easy time for many customers. I welcome the series of measures announced by the Chancellor for the Exchequer to provide support to those struggling with the impact of high energy bills."
"Help is available if you are struggling with your electricity or gas bill. I would encourage you to contact your energy supplier as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you."
Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council said: "The enormity of this SSE Airtricity tariff increase in the Greater Belfast gas network is shocking but sadly it is not unusual; heating oil consumers, electricity consumers and gas consumers outside Belfast are already living with extremely high prices.
"We know the biggest challenge for many consumers right now is having enough money for food and energy.
"Our research shows fuel poverty in Northern Ireland stood at 34% in March. This means even before today's announcements one in three households were feeling their purse strings stretched near breaking point.
"It's clear that without the introduction of significant support for consumers the coming winter will be miserable for many and life-threatening for some.
"The Consumer Council is working to protect consumers by encouraging Government to introduce financial support ahead of the coming winter and clarity is needed about if, how and when the Chancellor's energy support package will be made available to people here."
Mr Gormley added: "We are also talking with SSE Airtricity regarding their billing practice processes, customer communications and support for vulnerable customers."