Northern Ireland households face double energy blow as electricity and gas bills rise again

Thousands of households across Northern Ireland are facing another rise in energy costs this summer after both Power NI and firmus energy announced significant price increases coming into force from 1 July.

The twin increases mean many families already under pressure from rising living costs will now see both electricity and gas bills climb again within weeks, with suppliers blaming global wholesale markets, network charges and ongoing international conflict for the latest hikes.

Power NI confirmed on Thursday, 29 May, that residential electricity prices will increase by 6.2%, adding around £5 per month to the average household bill.

At the same time, firmus energy Supply announced an even steeper 15.65% increase for customers on its Ten Towns gas network tariff, equivalent to an additional £2.47 per week for a typical household.

Combined, households using both suppliers could be paying well over £18 more every month by the second half of the year.

Pressure building again for households

The increases arrive at a time when many households across Ballymena and Northern Ireland had hoped the worst of the energy crisis had eased after a period of falling tariffs earlier this year.

Instead, suppliers are warning that global instability — particularly tensions in the Middle East — has once again pushed wholesale energy costs upwards.

Power NI said its latest rise reflects “sustained increases in global gas prices” alongside higher network and market charges.

The supplier stressed that the change applies only to residential customers and has been approved by the Utility Regulator.

Power NI remains Northern Ireland’s only price-controlled electricity supplier, meaning tariffs can only be adjusted under a regulated formula scrutinised by the Utility Regulator.

William Steele, Director of Power NI Customer Solutions, said the increase had been delayed for as long as possible.

“This tariff adjustment is not a decision we’ve taken lightly,” he said.

“We have worked hard to hold prices for as long as possible, but sustained increases in global gas costs, along with higher network and market related charges, means unfortunately this increase is unavoidable.”

He added:

“We know this is unwelcome, however, we’ve delayed the change as long as we could, while keeping our tariffs competitive locally and below the average in GB and the Republic of Ireland.”

Gas customers hit with larger increase

For many consumers, the sharpest shock will come from the latest firmus energy increase affecting Ten Towns customers.

The company said ongoing conflict in the Middle East has significantly contributed to higher wholesale gas costs in global energy markets.

The 15.65% tariff increase becomes effective from 1 July and will add an estimated £2.47 per week to the average household gas bill.

Despite the rise, firmus energy pointed to substantial tariff reductions made over the past year, saying prices had previously been reduced on three separate occasions.

According to the company, tariffs in the Ten Towns network area had fallen by more than 27% since April 2025 before recent global events reversed the trend.

David Smith, Director at firmus energy Supply, said customers had been shielded from rising wholesale prices for as long as possible.

“Over recent months we have been monitoring global markets closely and protecting consumers from price changes for as long as possible,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we continue to experience elevated wholesale prices while the conflict in the Middle East remains unresolved.”

He added that despite the increase, bills would remain significantly lower than peak levels seen during the wider energy crisis.

“Today’s announcement, whilst unwelcome, means that customers’ bills will now be roughly the same as this time last year and still significantly below where they had been in previous years,” he said.

What customers can do to reduce costs

Both suppliers are encouraging customers to explore payment options and support schemes to help soften the impact of the increases.

Power NI said customers could save money by switching to Direct Debit and online billing, with some households able to save up to £60 per year.

The company also highlighted discounts for keypad customers topping up through its app or website.

Customers can access support and pricing information at: www.powerni.co.uk/pricing

Power NI keypad customers can also top up online, through the app, or via the automated payment line on 08000 285 455.

Meanwhile, firmus energy customers seeking advice on bills, direct debit payments or switching to natural gas can contact its customer services team on 0330 024 9000 or email furtherinfo@firmusenergy.co.uk.

Free independent energy advice is also available through the NI Energy Advice Line on 0800 111 4455.

Fresh concern over cost-of-living pressure

The latest increases are likely to renew concern about the financial strain facing households across Northern Ireland ahead of autumn and winter.

Energy prices had eased considerably from the record highs seen during the peak of the global energy crisis, but Thursday’s announcements underline how vulnerable household bills remain to instability in international markets.

For many families already balancing mortgage costs, food inflation and rising everyday expenses, the return of climbing energy bills will be another unwelcome hit heading into the second half of 2026.