firmus energy Supply, Northern Ireland’s largest supplier of natural gas, has today announced that it will be further reducing its tariffs. Rates will decrease by 15.6% in both the Ten Towns Network area and Greater Belfast Network area.
This tariff decrease, which is effective from 1 April 2024, will save households an average of £220.82[1] per year. This is the fourth consecutive reduction in the Ten Towns Network area and the third consecutive reduction in the Greater Belfast Network area since December 2022.
Announcing this reduction, firmus energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Niall Martindale said:
“firmus energy Supply is delighted to be announcing another reduction in our tariffs. We welcome the recent stabilisation of global gas commodity markets and remain committed to passing on savings to our customers as soon as market conditions allow us to do so. Since December 2022, consecutive reductions have decreased our tariffs by over 46%, representing an average household saving of £1,094.50 per year. [2]”
Customers seeking advice on their natural gas bills or direct debit payments should contact the firmus energy Customer Services team on 0330 024 9000 or customerservices@firmusenergy.co.uk. For free and independent advice on how to save energy please contact NI Energy Advice Line on 0800 111 4455.
Utility Regulator comments on decrease to Firmus Energy’s regulated gas tariff
Commenting on Firmus Energy’s regulated tariff announcement, Colin Broomfield, Director of Markets at the Utility Regulator said:
“In January 2024, the Utility Regulator commenced a review of Firmus Energy’s regulated gas tariff for domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns area. Following our analysis, the review has determined that from 1 April 2024, Firmus Energy’s regulated tariff will reduce by 15.6%, or £213 per year. This reduction is primarily driven by the steady fall in wholesale energy prices.
“This decrease to Firmus Energy’s regulated gas tariff is good news for consumers and follows the announcements made last week regarding decreases to the regulated tariffs of Power NI and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply. This means that regulated electricity and gas tariffs in Northern Ireland will compare as follows to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland:
| Average annual bills from 1 April 2024 |
Power NI (electricity) and SSE Airtricity (gas, Greater Belfast and West) |
Power NI (electricity) and Firmus Energy (gas, Ten Towns) |
Great Britain |
Ireland |
|
Electricity |
£951 |
£951 |
£1,066 |
£1,291 |
| Gas | £1,079 | £1,151 | £891 | £1,359 |
| Total | £2,030 | £2,102 | £1,957 | £2,650 |
Note: Figures above based on the annual bill of a domestic customer consuming 12,000 kWh of gas and 3,200 kWh of electricity on the standard tariff.
Exchange rate of 0.85 used.
“We welcome these recent decreases to electricity and gas bills, however we recognise that many households and businesses are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. If you are worried about paying your electricity or gas bill, help is available. We would encourage you to contact your supplier in the first instance, to make them aware of your circumstances, and discuss the options available. In addition, there are a number of agencies who can provide free and independent advice to households, including Advice NI, Christians Against Poverty, the Consumer Council and Money and Pensions Service’s MoneyHelper.
“Tariff reviews form part of our regular scrutiny to make sure that consumer bills reflect the actual cost of providing gas to homes and businesses. We will continue to monitor the regulated suppliers’ tariffs and ensure any further falls in costs are passed through to customers at the earliest opportunity.”
This tariff announcement marks the conclusion of a review undertaken by the Utility Regulator and Firmus Energy, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
[1] Based on average of Ten Towns Network and Greater Belfast network area PAYG rate and typical Medium Home Consumption Value of 12,000kWh per year as published by OFGEM. Ten Towns Network area annual saving will be £208.13 and Greater Belfast Network area annual saving will be £233.52 from 1 April 2024.
[2] Decrease in average annual bill in Ten Towns from December 2022 to April 2024 is £1,111. Decrease in average annual bill in Belfast from December 2022 to April 2024 is £1,078. This is based on PAYG Tariff rates and typical Medium Home Consumption Value of 12,000 kWh per year as published by OFGEM. Total PAYG Tariff reduction in Ten Towns between December 2022 and April 2024 is 50%, Total PAYG tariff reduction in Belfast between December 2022 and April 2024 is 46%.
