Local firums energy customers face gas price hike

Northern Ireland’s largest supplier of natural gas, firmus energy, has written to its customers in the Greater Belfast area to inform them of an increase to its tariff by 19.48% from 6th January 2022.
firmus energy CEO Dr Dobbinfirmus energy CEO Dr Dobbin
firmus energy CEO Dr Dobbin

The company have said the price hike is due to the increasing cost of natural gas on the global markets.

Wholesale global gas prices have increased by 414% from a year ago and by 74% since the last tariff review.

The change in tariff will mean an extra £2.75 per week on to the average household bill.

The Greater Belfast Network area covers Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Holywood, Donaghadee, Larne, Groomsport, Millisle, Newtownards, Carryduff, Comber, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and East Down.

Dr David Dobbin, Chairman of firmus energy, said: “We very much regret having to increase our Greater Belfast tariff however the sheer scale of the increases in global wholesale gas prices have forced our hand.”

“We know this is an unwelcome increase which will have a disproportionate effect on those of our customers who are most vulnerable. Following ongoing discussions, we will be supporting the government and industry backed financial support scheme that is being developed to assist our most vulnerable customers this winter.”

“This is not just a firmus issue, but one faced by energy suppliers across gas, oil and electricity, all of whom will have to increase their tariffs to meet the huge surge in global energy costs, if they haven’t already done so.”

The announcement means that tariffs for customers in both the Greater Belfast and Ten Towns Network areas are broadly aligned.

Customers seeking advice on their natural gas bills or direct debit payments should contact the firmus energy Customer Services team on 0330 024 9000. Our telephone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For free and independent advice on how to save energy please contact NI Energy Advice Line on 0800 111 4455.