Gas supplier announces 19% price hike as winter approaches

By Rebecca Black (Press Association)

A gas supplier has announced a 19% price hike as winter approaches.

The increase by SSE Airtricity is to come into effect from October 1 and will impact around 204,000 domestic gas customers throughout the Greater Belfast and West gas networks, along with about 4,500 small commercial customers.

The Consumer Council said the yearly gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter will rise by about £174 per year, and around £172 per year for those with a prepayment gas meter.

SSE Airtricity explained the rise is the “result of the continued volatility in global energy markets due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with wholesale gas prices remaining high”.

It follows an independent review of SSE’s tariff conducted by the Utility Regulator, alongside consultation with the Consumer Council and the Department for the Economy.

Stephen Gallagher, managing director at SSE Airtricity, said the firm had “no choice” but to hike bills.

“We understand that this will be disappointing news for our customers, and we recognise that energy costs remain a real concern for households and businesses across Northern Ireland,” he said.

“SSE Airtricity has a track record in passing on price reductions when we are in a position to do so, and over the last year we reduced tariffs on two occasions by a total of 16.6%.

“However, the unprecedented levels of volatility in global energy markets and higher wholesale gas prices means we now have no choice but to increase tariffs at this time.

“I would encourage any customer concerned about their energy bills to please contact us and we will work with you to find a solution together.”

Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council, said the price increase is “extremely disappointing for households”.

He said: “From October, over 200,000 homes in Northern Ireland will see their annual gas costs increase, bringing the average annual bill for a typical credit customer to around £1,080 and the annual cost for a keypad customer to around £1,065.

“This is extremely disappointing for households, however the rise reflects the recent increase in energy wholesale costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that began in February 2026.

“This announcement means consumers in the Greater Belfast and West networks are looking at combined annual gas and electricity bills in excess of £2,000 a year.

“We could be facing a very serious situation this winter with higher gas prices, electricity prices and heating oil prices. We are deeply concerned about what this could mean for consumers in Northern Ireland as household budgets are already being stretched.

“Unfortunately, this is a global problem caused by geopolitics in the Middle East and the price of the gas we import is outside the control of local companies. Our over- reliance on fossil fuels to heat our homes in Northern Ireland makes us very vulnerable to volatile global energy markets.

“Any SSE Airtricity gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills or top up their keypad meter should contact their supplier without delay to get advice and support.”