Firmus Energy to hike prices again by more than a third in NI

By Q Radio News/PA

Gas supplier Firmus Energy has announced it is to increase prices for customers in its Ten Towns network by more than a third.

Tariffs in the area will rise by 33.57% on February 24, a move that will add £5.95 per week to the average household bill.

The price increase will affect around 55,000 customers.

This is the latest in a series of rises to the price of gas for customers.

In December, the company announced it was putting up gas prices by 38% in the Ten Towns area.

Firmus Energy to hike prices again by more than a third in Northern Ireland.https://t.co/WBmtQRZcDj

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 1, 2022

This followed a rise of 35% in October and an 18% hike earlier in the year.

The Ten Towns Network area includes Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Craigavon (including Lurgan and Portadown), Limavady, Londonderry, Newry, and more than 25 other towns and villages in the surrounding areas.

The company apologised for the increase but said it was an unavoidable consequence of surging global gas prices and concerns over low stocks.

Dr David Dobbin, chairman of Firmus Energy, said:

“Unfortunately, due to the sustained high prices in wholesale gas markets we have had no option but to make a further increase in our gas tariff.

“Very low gas stocks, reduced Russian supplies and concerns about the Ukraine situation are all combining to keep European gas prices high.

“The market crisis has been well publicised, and markets look increasingly like they are going to remain high for some time.

“As we have previously stated, this is not just a Firmus issue but a challenge faced by every local and national supplier of gas and electricity, all of whom are affected by the huge upsurges which have taken place in wholesale gas and energy costs.

“Regrettably, we in Northern Ireland are at the mercy of the global wholesale gas market and are unable to influence these prices.”

John French, Utility Regulator chief executive, gave this response: