Cheaper NWgas potential

Investment Minister Arlene Foster was asked by Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff what the Executive was doing to reduce fuel prices for “local consumers, particularly electricity, home heating oil, petrol and diesel.”

Mrs Foster replied that the Executive approved Strategic Energy Framework, published by my Department in September 2010, addressed this issue by encouraging competitive energy pricing under a number of actions.

The Minister said more companies were being encouraged to enter the gas and electricity markets to create more competitive conditions.

She believes the award of £32.5million worth of gas contracts that will see the natural gas network extended to Strabane and other towns in the west may lead to cheaper fuel in these areas.

“This will give both business and domestic consumers in the new licence area access to a wider, and potentially cheaper, choice of fuel,” she stated.