Budget Energy customers face £122-a-year electricity bill rise from August

Around 105,000 Budget Energy customers across Northern Ireland are set to pay more for their electricity from next month after the supplier announced a 9.5% increase to its variable tariffs.

The increase, which takes effect from 4 August 2026, will add around £122 a year to the bill of a typical BillPay customer and approximately £121 a year for a standard-rate keypad customer, adding further pressure to household finances at a time when electricity prices continue to rise across the market.

Budget Energy, Northern Ireland’s third-largest electricity supplier, has confirmed the increase will apply to domestic customers on variable tariffs. Customers on fixed-price deals will not be affected and will continue paying their agreed rates until the end of their contracts.

Annual bills to exceed £1,400

According to the Consumer Council, a typical Budget Energy credit customer on a standard tariff will see their annual electricity bill rise from around £1,281 to approximately £1,403.

Meanwhile, a typical standard-rate keypad customer will see their annual costs increase from around £1,270 to around £1,390.

The calculations are based on estimated annual electricity usage of 12,000kWh.

The latest quarterly Utility Regulator Retail Energy Market Monitoring (REMM) Report, published on 11 March 2026, shows Budget Energy has 120,345 domestic customers, with around 105,000 of those on BillPay or keypad variable tariffs expected to be affected by the latest increase.

Consumer Council urges households to review tariffs

Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, said the increase reflects higher wholesale energy costs but acknowledged it would come as disappointing news for many households.

He said:

“From 4 August, approximately 105,000 Budget Energy BillPay and keypad domestic customers on variable tariffs in Northern Ireland will see their annual electricity costs increase, bringing the average annual electricity bill for a typical credit customer on a standard tariff to around £1,403 and a typical keypad customer on a standard tariff to around £1,390.

“While this is disappointing for households, the rise reflects the recent increase in energy wholesale costs. Those Budget Energy customers on a fixed price deal will not be impacted and will continue to pay their existing agreed rates for the duration of their contract.”

He also urged anyone struggling with rising energy costs to seek help as early as possible.

“Any Budget Energy customers who are struggling to pay their electricity bills or top up their keypad meter should contact their supplier without delay to get advice and support.”

All electricity suppliers have now increased prices

The latest announcement means all five of Northern Ireland’s electricity suppliers have now either introduced or announced tariff increases in recent months.

The increases are:

• Click Energy – 9.5% (effective 1 April 2026)

• Share Energy – 26.4% (effective 1 April 2026)

• Power NI – 6.2% (effective 1 July 2026)

• SSE Airtricity – 6.2% (effective 1 August 2026)

• Budget Energy – 9.5% (effective 4 August 2026)

Mr Gormley encouraged consumers to review how they pay for electricity, saying there may be opportunities to reduce bills.

He said:

“Being on a standard tariff and paying on receipt of a bill is the most expensive way to pay for your electricity. Switching payment methods, changing billing method or even switching supplier may save you money.”

Where customers can get help

The Consumer Council is encouraging households to compare electricity and gas tariffs using its free independent online price comparison tool.

Consumers who do not have internet access, or who would like help checking available tariffs, can contact the Consumer Council on 0800 121 6022 or by email at contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.

With every electricity supplier in Northern Ireland now increasing prices or confirming forthcoming rises, households are being urged to review their current tariff and payment method to ensure they are not paying more than necessary as higher energy costs continue to take effect.