To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any anticipated energy price rises for consumers in the coming year; and (ii) the reasons for any rises.

Domestic electricity and natural gas consumers in Northern Ireland receive price protection in the form of regulated tariffs for Power NI, SSE Airtricity Natural Gas1 and firmus energy2. This means that those three suppliers cannot change their domestic prices without the Utility Regulator’s (UR) approval.

Prior to any domestic tariff change by those suppliers, UR will undertake a review to ensure that any proposed changes are reflective of the suppliers’ costs and do not exceed the regulated profit margin.

Changes to regulated natural gas tariffs are effective typically on 1 April and/or 1 October each year. The Department has not received any indication of anticipated tariff changes this year.

1 In Greater Belfast and Gas to the West.

2 In the Ten Towns gas distribution area.

With regards to Power NI, the tariff reviews are more fluid and changes are made when required based on UR’s ongoing review of the supplier’s data.