Firmus Energy Supply, Northern Ireland’s largest supplier of natural gas, has today (Thursday 6th March 2025) announced that it will be reducing its domestic tariff by 11.84% in the Ten Towns Network area.
This tariff decrease, which is effective from 1st April 2025, will save households an average of £136 per year.
The announcement comes after the Utility Regulator in January 2025 commenced a review of Firmus Energy (Ten Towns area) and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply’s (Greater Belfast and Western areas) regulated gas tariffs for domestic and small business customers.
Commenting on the conclusion of the tariff reviews, Colin Broomfield, Director of Markets at the Utility Regulator said:
“In January 2025, we began a formal review of the regulated tariffs for Firmus Energy (Ten Towns area) and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply (Greater Belfast and Western areas). Following our analysis, we have determined that Firmus Energy’s regulated tariff will decrease by 11.84%, and there will be no change to SSE Airtricity Gas Supply’s regulated tariff.
“Firmus Energy’s decrease of 11.84%, or £136 per year, will come into effect from 1 April 2025.
“Following the conclusion of our review of the gas tariffs, the combined regulated gas and electricity tariffs in Northern Ireland will be lower than the Price Cap in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland combined tariffs, from 1 April 2025. Power NI’s regulated tariff was reviewed in October 2024 and a 4% increase came into effect on 1 December 2024.
“When the Firmus Energy tariff was set in April 2024, this included an allowance** to recover higher than forecast wholesale gas costs from the previous tariff period. The company has now recovered those costs. This is the main reason for the 11.84% decrease to Firmus Energy’s new tariff, coming into effect on 1 April 2025.
“It is important to note that the wholesale energy market continues to be volatile. We will continue to monitor the regulated suppliers’ tariffs to ensure that regulated tariffs reflect the actual cost of providing gas and electricity to consumers.
“We do recognise that many households and businesses are still struggling with their energy costs. If you are worried about paying for your electricity or gas, we would encourage you to contact your supplier in the first instance, to make them aware of your circumstances, and discuss the options available. In addition, there are a number of agencies who can provide free and independent advice to households, including Advice NI, Christians Against Poverty, the Consumer Council and Money and Pensions Service’s MoneyHelper.”
This tariff announcement marks the conclusion of reviews undertaken by the Utility Regulator, Firmus Energy and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
Firmus Energy Supply states it intends to bring further competition to the Greater Belfast market and further announcements will be made in due course.
Customers seeking advice on their natural gas bills or direct debit payments should contact the Firmus Energy Supply Customer Services team on 0330 024 9000 or via furtherinfo@firmusenergy.co.uk . For free and independent advice on how to save energy please contact NI Energy Advice Line on 0800 111 4455.
The Ten Towns Network area includes Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Craigavon (including Lurgan and Portadown), Limavady, Derry/Londonderry, Newry and more than 25 other towns and villages in the surrounding areas.