Gas prices are set to rise by almost 22% for SSE Airtricity customers in Northern Ireland, after the supplier announced plans to increase tariffs.
The tariff increase will be effective from 1 October 2021 and will apply to all SSE Airtricity domestic and small business customers.
It is expected to increase the average household’s energy bill by £112 a year and is likely to push more households in Northern Ireland into fuel poverty.
Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, commented: “SSE Airtricity announced on Friday 3 September that their natural gas tariffs will increase by 21.8% from October 2021. This record rise is driven by increases in external costs, including global wholesale energy prices.
“Energy Saving Trust are the administrators of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) and understand the energy efficiency challenges in Northern Ireland. 68% of homes in Northern Ireland are currently heated by oil, meaning that most householders are familiar with the changes to oil prices.
“Energy costs must be affordable to enable Northern Ireland to reach net zero targets, with the insulation of homes being a solution that not only reduces energy bills but has the additional benefit of reducing carbon emissions too.”
For more information on NISEP and support available, visit the Utility Regulator’s website.
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