SSE Airtricity will lift its gas tariff by 19.2% from 1 October 2026. The rise will affect roughly 204,000 domestic customers across the Greater Belfast and West gas networks, as well as around 4,500 small commercial customers.

For a typical household, the change will add about £174 a year to bills for those on credit meters. Customers using prepayment (PAYG) meters are expected to see an increase of approximately £172 a year.

Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, said: "From October, over 200,000 homes in Northern Ireland will see their annual gas costs increase, bringing the average annual bill for a typical credit customer to around £1,080 and the annual cost for a keypad customer to around £1,065. This is extremely disappointing for households; however, the rise reflects the recent increase in energy wholesale costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that began in February 2026.

"This announcement means consumers in the Greater Belfast and West networks are looking at combined annual gas and electricity bills in excess of £2,000 a year.

"We could be facing a very serious situation this winter with higher gas prices, electricity prices and heating oil prices. We are deeply concerned about what this could mean for consumers in Northern Ireland as household budgets are already being stretched. "Unfortunately, this is a global problem caused by geopolitics in the Middle East and the price of the gas we import is outside the control of local companies. Our over reliance on fossil fuels to heat our homes in Northern Ireland makes us very vulnerable to volatile global energy markets.

"Any SSE Airtricity gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills or top up their keypad meter should contact their supplier without delay to get advice and support."

Furthermore, Raymond added: "We would encourage consumers to think about the way they pay for their energy and see if they can reduce their energy costs.

"Being on a standard tariff and paying on receipt of a bill is the most expensive way to pay for your gas and electricity. Switching payment methods, changing billing method or even switching supplier may save you money."

Consumers can compare gas, electricity and heating oil options across Northern Ireland using the Consumer Council's free, independent price comparison tools: www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/help-consumers/electricity-oil-and-gas

Those without internet access, or anyone who would like help checking tariffs, can contact the Consumer Council on 0800 121 6022 or email contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.