Firmus energy have announced a further increase for gas customers in the ‘Ten Towns’ network area. Prices are set to increase from 24th February…by a huge 33.57%.
Although a further price rise was likely it is the scale of the latest hike that will shock people, and many will genuinely be worried about how they will be able to afford their energy bills.
This is the first increase of 2022 but comes on the back of three separate price increases from firmus energy in 2021 and continues an unwelcome trend of high and rising prices.
What does the price increase mean for customers?
An increase of 33.57% is a significant price hike for the 59,000 firmus energy customers across the Ten Towns area. This will result in a significant rise in bills and mean people will have to pay much more to stay warm.
This increase will see the annual cost for a typical bill pay customer increase by around £325 per year to £1,293. Customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see an increase of around £309 per year to £1,320.
What has been happening to prices over the last 12 months?
This is the first increase of 2022 but comes on the back of three significant increases last year.
During 2021, firmus energy, in the ten towns network, increased prices by 17.75% on 1st April, a second increase of 31.15% on 1st October and a final increase of 38.18% on 3rd December.
In total customers have seen prices increase by a staggering 125% since April 2021 increasing bills for customers by over £800. And unfortunately for the 59,000 domestic customers in the firmus gas network they will have to find the money for these higher bills as there is no other gas supplier to switch to.
|
Date |
Price Change |
Impact on Bills |
|
| 1st April 2021 | +17.75% | Bill Pay | + £78 |
| PAYG | + £74 | ||
| 1st October 2021 | +35.15% | Bill Pay | + £183 |
| PAYG | + £175 | ||
| 3rd December 2021 | +38.18% | Bill Pay | + £268 |
| PAYG | + £255 | ||
| 24th February 2022 | +33.57% | Bill Pay | + £325 |
| PAYG | + £309 | ||
What firmus energy have said…
Firmus energy have stated that the main driver for the price increase is due to rising wholesale costs which are beyond their control and make up a significant part of the final bill paid by each customer.
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.
We know this is another unwelcome increase which will have a disproportionate effect on those of our customers who are the most vulnerable. We have been providing financial support to the Department for Communities scheme to help those most in need and will continue to do so. If any of our customers feel that they require further support, they should contact us directly to see how we can help.”
I’m a firmus energy customer…what network am I in?
All this talk of gas networks may get confusing…so a quick recap
Northern Ireland is broken into three separate gas networks – these are the Greater Belfast area, the Ten Towns area and the West network area. Each is distinct and will have different suppliers, cost and tariff options.
The Ten Towns area is owned and manged by firmus energy and includes: Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine (including Portstewart and Bushmills), Ballymoney, Ballymena (Broughshane), Antrim (including Ballyclare and Templepatrick), Craigavon (including Portadown and Lurgan), Banbridge, Newry (Warrenpoint), Armagh (Tandragee) and more than 25 other towns and villages in the surrounding area.
The Greater Belfast area covers: south, west, east and north Belfast; Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; Duncrue and Harbour; Lisburn; Carryduff; Castlereagh; Newtownards; Larne; and North Down.
The West Network operated by SGN Natural Gas is bringing gas to areas including Coalisland, Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Omagh, Enniskillen, Strabane and Derrylin.
Only firmus energy customers in the Ten Towns network are affected by this price increase. Customers in the Greater Belfast network area and in the West network area will not be impacted by this announcement.
Get in touch with your energy supplier
As everyone realises, we are living in uncertain times. It’s important to get in touch with your energy supplier to discuss any payment issues or concerns and help manage your account. Even providing an up-to-date meter read can make sure your payments are accurate and up to date.
Finding a better deal…
At ‘Power to Switch’ we compare all tariffs and deals across all electricity suppliers to save you money. Switching is quick, hassle-free and means you keep more money in your pocket. You don’t even have to tell your old supplier you are leaving!!!
For more information, advice and support on energy issues visit www.powertoswitch.co.uk or follow us on facebook or twitter
*based on annual consumption of 12,000kWh
