LISTEN: SSE Airtricity announces 39% gas price hike

By Q Radio news

SSE Airtricity has announced a hike of 39 per cent in gas prices from the beginning of next month.

It will mean the average domestic and small business customer will face a rise of £244 in their year gas bills, to £870 per year. 

The move will impact around 186,000 gas customers in greater Belfast and western distribution areas. 

The price change comes into effect from 1 April 2022 and will apply to all domestic and small business customers supplied by SSE Airtricity. 

The continued pressure on global energy markets has a significant impact on energy suppliers’ ability to keep prices down.

As seen through other supplier announcements and recent messages from the Utility Regulator, international energy costs are having a direct impact on homes and businesses in Northern Ireland.  
 
Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI) said:

“We understand this news will be unwelcome, although not unexpected to our customers, given the extensive media focus on wholesale markets over the last six months.

The cost of purchasing natural gas on the wholesale market has reached record highs this winter and regrettably, a proportion of this must be reflected in our prices.

In March 2021 gas cost around 50 pence per therm, today that cost is around £2 per therm after hitting as high as £4.50 per therm late last year.

SSE Airtricity has a longstanding history of working with our customers and we have made every effort to minimise the impact on them.  

“We would encourage any customer who is having difficulty with their energy costs to contact us, and we will work with you to find a solution together.

There is also free independent help and information available from the Consumer Council and Advice NI who provide a range of impartial services to consumers in Northern Ireland including advice about saving energy.” 

Peter McClenaghan, from the Consumer Council says it's a huge hike...

"THINGS MAY GET WORSE"

As a regulated gas supplier in Northern Ireland, SSE Airtricity’s tariffs are independently scrutinised and approved by the Utility Regulator, and in consultation with the Consumer Council and the Department for the Economy.

This tariff review has been undertaken during a period of unprecedented energy market volatility and record highs in wholesale natural gas costs, which if sustained will require further tariff changes in the coming months. 

Continued pressure on global energy markets is being blamed and Kevin Sheils from the Utility Regulator says things may get even worse...

Customers who wish to speak to SSE Airtricity can do so by calling the number below or visiting https://www.airtricitygasni.com/.