Firmus energy have announced a second price rise for gas customers in the Greater Belfast Network area.
Natural gas tariffs are set to increase by 32.98% from the 22nd October 2021.
Earlier this month firmus energy confirmed it was increasing prices for their customers in the ‘Ten Town’ network area by 35.15% – so this latest announcement, although not unexpected is still unwelcome news for their customers.
In April Firmus energy increased prices in the Greater Belfast Network area by 14%. So taken together, Firmus energy prices have increased by 46.98% in the last six months.
What does the price increase mean for customers?
Home energy use starts to climb over the winter months as we turn on lights and turn up the heating. So, with these large price increases, unfortunately energy bills are set to climb as well.
And an increase of 32.98% is a huge hike for the 50,000 firmus energy customers across the Greater Belfast area.
Looking at this in more detail a typical domestic customer with a credit meter will see their bill rise by £185. Customers with a prepayment gas (PAYG) meter will see an increase of £182 per year.
This latest price increase, coupled with April’s increase, will mean customers have seen prices rise over the last six months by 46.98%, adding around £254 to an average bill pay customers bill, and £250 to an average prepayment (PAYG) customers bill.
| Date | Price Change | Impact on Bills | |
| 15th April 2021 | +14% | Bill Pay | + £69 |
| PAYG | + £68 | ||
| 22nd October 2021 | +32.98% | Bill Pay | + £185 |
| PAYG | + £182 | ||
In the Greater Belfast network area domestic customers can currently choose between two suppliers – firmus energy and SSE Airtricity. A price increase of 9.8% from SSE Airtricity will also kick in from 1st April 2021.
What firmus energy have said…
Firmus energy have stated that the main driver for the price increase is due to rising wholesale costs which are beyond their control and make up a significant part of the final bill paid by each customer.
Michael Scott, Managing Director of firmus energy, said:
“We are very sorry that we have to make this announcement to our customers in the Greater Belfast area. However, given the huge increases in the cost of purchasing natural gas on the global markets, which have been well publicised in recent weeks, it is simply unavoidable, as these costs are totally beyond our control.
“Any increase is never welcome, and we know this will come at a particularly difficult time for many. We are fully committed to working with consumer bodies to best support our customers, especially in the forthcoming winter months”.
I’m a Firmus energy customer…what natural gas network am I in?
All this talk of networks may get confusing…and we are not talking about mobile phones!
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.
The Greater Belfast area covers: south, west, east and north Belfast; Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; Duncrue and Harbour; Lisburn; Carryduff; Castlereagh; Newtownards; Larne; and North Down.
The Ten Towns area is owned and manged by firmus energy and includes: Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine (including Portstewart and Bushmills), Ballymoney, Ballymena (Broughshane), Antrim (including Ballyclare and Templepatrick), Craigavon (including Portadown and Lurgan), Banbridge, Newry (Warrenpoint), Armagh (Tandragee) and more than 25 other towns and villages in the surrounding area.
The West Network operated by SGN Natural Gas is bringing gas to areas including Coalisland, Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Omagh, Enniskillen, Strabane and Derrylin.
Only firmus energy customers in the Greater Belfast network are affected by this latest price announcement.
Get in touch with your energy supplier
As everyone realises, we are living in uncertain times. It’s important to get in touch with your energy supplier to discuss any payment issues or concerns and help manage your account. Even providing an up to date meter read can make sure your payments are accurate and up to date.
Finding a better deal…
At ‘Power to Switch’ we compare all tariffs and deals across all energy suppliers to save you money. Switching is quick, hassle-free and means you keep more money in your pocket. You don’t even have to tell your old supplier you are leaving!!!
For more information, advice and support on energy issues visit www.powertoswitch.co.uk or follow us on facebook or twitter
