firmus energy has announced that natural gas prices will increase for customers across both the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast gas network areas this October.
However, the size of the increase – and the date it takes effect – will depend on which gas network you live in.
- Ten Towns: prices will increase by 8.98% from 1st October 2026
- Greater Belfast: prices will increase by 12.5% from 8th October 2026
firmus energy has said the increases are due to higher wholesale gas costs, with continued uncertainty in international energy markets pushing up the price suppliers are paying for natural gas.
What does this mean for firmus energy customers?
The increase will affect firmus energy customers in both the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast gas network areas, but the size of the increase and the date it takes effect are different.
Ten Towns Network
firmus energy customers in the Ten Towns network will see gas prices increase by 8.98% from 1st October 2026.
For a typical household with a credit meter, the increase will add around £87 a year to the annual gas bill. PAYG customers will see typical annual costs increase by around £85.
Around 77,000 domestic and small business customers will be affected by the increase.
This is the second firmus energy price increase for Ten Towns customers in just three months, following a 15.65% increase introduced in July. After several years of falling prices, the two recent increases have pushed gas bills higher again – 26% higher than before the July increase (see below).
The latest increase has been reviewed and approved by the Utility Regulator. The Ten Towns firmus energy tariff is regulated, with the Regulator reviewing the supplier’s costs before changes are introduced.
Greater Belfast Network
firmus energy customers in the Greater Belfast network will see a larger 12.5% increase from 8 October 2026.
For a typical household with a credit meter, this will increase annual gas costs by around £147, while a typical PAYG customer will pay around £144 more per year.
Around 54,000 firmus energy customers in Greater Belfast will be affected.
Unlike the Ten Towns tariff, firmus energy’s Greater Belfast tariffs are not regulated by the Utility Regulator. Customers in Greater Belfast also have a choice of domestic gas supplier, with both firmus energy and SSE Airtricity operating in the network area.
Why are gas prices rising again?
Unfortunately, wholesale energy costs have moved sharply upwards again during 2026.
firmus energy says the latest increase reflects the rising cost of gas on global energy markets, driven in particular by continued instability and conflict in the Middle East.
It is another reminder of just how quickly wholesale energy markets can impact on the bills we pay – and unfortunately these increases arrive just as households start thinking about using more heating over the autumn and winter months.
I’m a firmus energy customer…what network am I in?
You may be wondering which gas network area you fall into.
Northern Ireland is broken into three separate gas networks – these are the Greater Belfast area, the Ten Towns area and the West network area. Each is distinct and will have different suppliers, cost and tariff options.
Network Operator
Evolve
Gas Suppliers
SSE Airtricity
Network Operator
Kinecx Energy
Gas Suppliers
firmus Energy
Network Operator
Phoenix Natural Gas
Gas Suppliers
firmus Energy
SSE Airtricity
If you are unsure who your natural gas supplier is, they are detailed on your natural gas bill or on top of your prepayment top-up receipt.
firmus energy currently supplies domestic customers in two of these – Ten Towns and Greater Belfast – and the tariffs are different in each area.
The Ten Towns network includes Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine, Portstewart, Bushmills, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Ballyclare, Templepatrick, Craigavon, Portadown, Lurgan, Banbridge, Newry, Warrenpoint, Armagh, Tandragee and a number of surrounding towns and villages.
The Greater Belfast network includes Belfast, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, Lisburn, Carryduff, Castlereagh, Newtownards, Larne and North Down.
If you’re unsure, your gas supplier and tariff details will be shown on your natural gas bill or PAYG top-up receipt.
Can I switch to another gas supplier?
This depends on where you live.
If you are in the Ten Towns network, firmus energy remains the only domestic natural gas supplier, so unfortunately there isn’t currently another gas supplier you can switch to.
Customers in Greater Belfast have a choice between firmus energy and SSE Airtricity.
However, SSE Airtricity has also announced a significant gas price increase from October, so don’t simply assume one supplier will automatically be cheaper. The best deal can depend on how much gas you use, how you pay and any discounts or introductory offers available.
That’s why it’s worth comparing the actual annual cost before making a decision.
Get in touch if you’re struggling with energy costs
Higher gas prices will be unwelcome news for households already managing increases across energy and other household bills.
If you’re worried about paying your gas or electricity bill, contact your supplier as early as possible. Suppliers can discuss payment arrangements and any support that may be available.
Providing an up-to-date meter reading can also help make sure your account and payments are based on your actual usage rather than estimates.
Check if you could save
For customers who can switch, shopping around remains one of the simplest ways to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.
At Power to Switch we compare gas tariffs and available deals to help you see what you could pay with each supplier.
Compare your deal today with us.
