The Utility Regulator is calling on households and small businesses in Northern Ireland struggling with energy bills this January to contact their electricity or gas supplier for support.
What do I need to know?
Extra help is available under the Consumer Energy Charters for winter 2024/2025, with additional measures in place until 31 March 2025. Suppliers have committed to offering hardship funds, enhanced protections for households facing debt, and flexible repayment options for small businesses in arrears. Contact your supplier to find out more about the specific support measures they can provide.
Year-round, suppliers also provide free support through customer care registers, designed to assist older people, those with disabilities, and others with special requirements. NIE Networks and NI Water also offer tailored services, including help during power cuts and additional support for vulnerable customers.
What is being said?
Sinéad Dynan, the Utility Regulator’s Head of Consumer and Business Protection says: “We understand that January can be a difficult month for energy consumers across Northern Ireland, as they navigate the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“At the Utility Regulator, we endeavour to protect the short and long-term interests of all consumers of electricity, gas and water, and would urge anyone who is struggling with their energy bills this winter to reach out to their supplier for advice.
“Alongside the extra support measures offered until 31 March 2025 by suppliers participating in Northern Ireland’s Consumer Energy Charters for winter 2024/2025, suppliers will continue to provide the free, additional support measures already offered to consumers year-round. These are outlined in their Codes of Practice.”
For more details on the support measures, customer care registers, or the Consumer Energy Charters, visit www.uregni.gov.uk.
