Firmus energy increases gas prices by 12.2%

Gas supplier firmus energy has announced it is increasing its gas prices by 12.2%.

The company says it is increasing prices for the first time in three years because of rising wholesale costs from 31 March in the Ten Towns areas and from 7 April in the greater Belfast area.

In total, around 80,000 customers across the region will be affected by this change.

The Consumer Council calculates that the annual gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter in Greater Belfast, and the Ten Towns, will rise by £57 and £66 respectively.

Michael Scott, managing director of firmus energy said: “We understand the importance of price stability for customers and apologise for having to increase prices.

“Over the past three years we have been able to reduce or maintain our prices. We appreciate that this is not good news for customers, however, this tariff change is driven by the rising wholesale natural gas commodity market.”

The tariff review process is carried out by firmus energy and the Utility Regulator, in consultation with the Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

“Any customer seeking advice on their natural gas bills or their Direct Debit payments going forward can contact our Customer Service team on 0800 032 4567,” Mr Scott concluded.

Last week SSE Airtricity announced an increase in its prices of 7.6% in the Greater Belfast area.