Firmus Energy has announced significant tariff increases affecting tens of thousands of customers across Northern Ireland, with bills rising by 8.98% in the Ten Towns area and 12.5% in Greater Belfast from early October 2026.
In the Ten Towns region, the increase takes effect on 1 October and will add approximately £7 monthly to typical household bills. The Greater Belfast price rise, affecting around 54,000 customers, becomes effective on 8 October and represents an additional £12 per month for average users.
The company attributed the increases to volatile global energy markets, stating that
the increase was "due to the increased cost of gas on the global energy markets caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East". According to the Utility Regulator's August newsletter, the rises were mainly driven by sustained increases in wholesale gas costs linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Ten Towns area encompasses approximately 77,000 households and small businesses across Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Ballymena, Coleraine, Craigavon, Newry, Londonderry and more than 25 other surrounding towns and villages.
Why are bills increasing now?
Sharleen Winning, head of regulation at Firmus Energy, explained that the company
"cannot ignore the impact the situation in the Middle East is having on the cost of energy". She added that
"Unfortunately this has left us with no option other than to increase our tariffs."
Winning noted that Firmus Energy had
"held off for as long as we could in the hope of a resolution that would lead to a reduction in the global wholesale prices", and expressed hope that
"we hope to be able to do so again, once the global markets allow this."
According to the Utility Regulator's confirmation of tariff changes, the Ten Towns domestic and small-business tariff would rise by 15.7%, equivalent to £132 annually. In Greater Belfast and the West gas area, the regulator confirmed a 19.2% increase, or £174 per year, for domestic and small business customers from 1 October 2026.
How does this fit into the wider energy crisis?
This announcement follows a pattern of price increases across Northern Ireland's energy sector. Last week, SSE Airtricity, the region's largest natural gas provider, announced it is increasing prices by almost 19% from 1 October for its 200,000 customers. Earlier in the year, Budget Energy raised prices by 9.5% for variable tariff customers from 4 August, citing market volatility and geopolitical tensions.
The current increases represent the latest in a series of tariff adjustments affecting Northern Ireland consumers. Firmus had already announced a separate Ten Towns tariff rise in late May 2026, with a 15.65% increase taking effect from 1 July 2026. These regulated tariff changes have been coordinated through the Utility Regulator, which oversees energy pricing across the region.
What support is available?
Leigh Greer from the Utility Regulator advised customers concerned about paying for gas or electricity to contact their supplier immediately.
"Suppliers will work with customers to discuss payment options and the support available."
Greer acknowledged the broader impact, stating that
"We recognise that another increase in energy bills will be deeply concerning for households and small businesses, particularly for those already under pressure from the wider cost of living."
Key Facts
- Ten Towns customers face an 8.98% increase (£7 monthly) effective 1 October 2026
- Greater Belfast customers face a 12.5% increase (£12 monthly) effective 8 October 2026
- Around 77,000 households and small businesses are affected in Ten Towns; approximately 54,000 in Greater Belfast
- Global wholesale gas costs driven by Middle East conflict are cited as the primary cause
- SSE Airtricity announced a 19% increase for 200,000 customers on the same date
