Lower electricity bills “good news” - McClarty

Mr McClarty said that a reduction of more than 14 per cent of the cost of electricity, announced last week by Power NI, was “ very good news for everyone in East Londonderry”.

The price cuts should shave around £80 per year off a ‘typical’ household’s electricity bills. This price drop is in addition to a new 6% discount announced by the company for online billing.

Mr McClarty said: “This is very good news for everyone in East Londonderry and indeed throughout Northern Ireland. It is particularly good news for our hard pressed senior citizens who in recent years have had to make the decision to eat or heat; and also to young families on low incomes and those suffering from long term illness or disability.”

He continues, “The announcement is very timely, given that the summer months are almost behind us and the longer, colder nights are fast approaching. Power NI is to be congratulated for this initiative; and I trust other providers will follow their example.”

This price cut sees Power NI prices below the GB average, below those in the Republic of Ireland and also below the European average.

Stephen McCully, Managing Director of Power NI, said: “We’ve listened to our customers and we know that great service and better value are more important than ever. So we’re delighted to introduce this price reduction.

“This price cut sees our customers benefiting from lower world fuel costs and savings from our increased efficiencies. So that’s why, with Power NI, you can be assured of better value and great service. I would like to thank our 675,000 customers for continuing to make us their number one choice and to welcome the thousands of customers coming back to Power NI.”

Lower fuel prices, particularly coal and gas and a reduction in the cost of carbon, along with Power NI increased efficiencies, have all contributed to the reduction.