Northern Ireland Energy Bills Rising in July

Northern Ireland households are bracing for higher energy costs, BBC Business reported Thursday, as both Power NI and Firmus confirmed tariff increases taking effect on 1 July 2026.

Power NI Electricity Prices Climbing 6.2%

Power NI is raising its electricity unit price by 6.2% across Northern Ireland. The company says the typical household will pay roughly £5 more per month as a result. Director of Customer Solutions William Steele acknowledged the timing was difficult for consumers. Steele said the company had held prices for as long as feasible. He added that sustained rises in global gas costs, combined with higher network charges, made the move unavoidable. Power NI also noted its tariffs remain below the average across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Firmus Raises Gas Tariffs by 15.65% for Ten Towns Customers

Firmus is implementing a steeper increase on its natural gas tariff. The 15.65% rise applies to its Ten Towns customer base in Northern Ireland. For the average household, that translates to an additional £2.47 per week, or around £10.70 extra per month. Director David Smith pointed to persistently elevated wholesale prices as the primary driver. Smith noted that Firmus had cut tariffs three times over the past year, reducing bills by more than 27% and saving customers an estimated £300 annually on average. Despite the new hike, he said bills would sit roughly at the same level as a year ago and remain well below peaks seen in prior years.

Background: Middle East Conflict Keeps Gas Markets Under Pressure

The increases arrive against a backdrop of prolonged volatility in global energy markets. Regulators and suppliers alike have pointed to the ongoing Middle East conflict as a key factor pushing wholesale gas costs higher. Leigh Greer, head of security of supply and markets regulation at the Utility Regulator, said the conflict has rippled across global energy markets, already lifting prices for home heating oil, petrol, and diesel in addition to gas and electricity. Northern Ireland’s exposure to wholesale market swings has historically made its consumers sensitive to geopolitical disruptions affecting gas supply routes and pricing benchmarks.

What Customers Can Do

Both suppliers acknowledged the increases are unwelcome for households already managing broader cost-of-living pressures. Consumer advocates have recommended reviewing energy usage habits ahead of the July changes. Simple measures such as improving home insulation and adjusting heating schedules can meaningfully offset bill increases over a full year.

Read Next: How You Can Save Money on Your Energy Bill