Household Electricity Prices Set To Rise

Bill payers in Northern Ireland will be tightening their purse strings later this year as energy prices continue to rise.

SSE Airtricity, the region's second largest electricity provider, is to increase its domestic rate by 6.9%.

The price hike is in response to a rise in external costs and will be implemented from 01 October 2019, adding an estimated £39 for the typical household each year.

The news comes as Electric Ireland, the third biggest supplier, announced an 8% increase while the main local supplier, Power NI, will also implement a 6% rise.

Increased external costs are the main cause of the price hikes, according to SSE Airtricity. The rising costs associated with using the electricity network and market charges affect all suppliers and energy prices.

David Manning, Director of Home Energy at SSE Airtricity, said: "We're disappointed to have to announce an increase in our electricity prices at this time. While there have been reductions in wholesale energy costs these have been negated by external cost increases applied to all energy suppliers.

"As always, we will do everything we can to ensure we consistently deliver value to our customers in their electricity supply, and to provide the greatest possible help that our customers expect from us.

"We continue to offer our customers highly competitive discounts and exclusive customer benefits through our SSE Reward Programme."

The typical annual cost of home electricity with SSE from 01 October will be £600.41, based on typical consumption of 3,200 kWh.



(JG)