Northern Ireland Gas Tariffs 2026 Latest: What Changed This Month
- 01. What changed this month
- 02. Immediate consumer impact
- 03. Why the tariffs changed
- 04. Recent tariff change timeline
- 05. Numbers at a glance
- 06. Regional comparison
- 07. Tariff mechanics explained
- 08. Practical advice for customers
- 09. Regulatory and supplier quotes
- 10. Historical context and trends
- 11. Example tariff table (illustrative)
- 12. What to watch next
- 13. Resources
What changed this month
The Utility Regulator's completed reviews resulted in two separate regulated tariff reductions coming into effect on 1 April 2026: an 8.1% fall for SSE Airtricity customers in the Greater Belfast and West areas and a 10.1% fall for Firmus Energy customers in the Ten Towns area.
Immediate consumer impact
Typical households on SSE Airtricity saw annual gas bills drop by about £80 a year, while Firmus Energy customers in the Ten Towns area saw roughly £94 a year in savings from the April 1, 2026 changes.
Why the tariffs changed
The Utility Regulator attributed the reductions to falling wholesale gas costs and the return of supplier over-recoveries to customers, following its normal tariff review process that examines wholesale, network and operating cost inputs.
Recent tariff change timeline
These April 2026 cuts follow a sequence of earlier adjustments: a large fall in April 2024 (c.22.8%), a decrease in July 2023 (c.12.2%), and supplier-led reductions in October 2025 (SSE Airtricity c.8.47%), demonstrating volatility and gradual easing since 2023.
Numbers at a glance
| Supplier / Area | Change (%) | Effective date | Typical household saving (£/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity (Greater Belfast & West) | -8.1% | 1 April 2026 | £80 |
| Firmus Energy (Ten Towns) | -10.1% | 1 April 2026 | £94 |
| SSE Airtricity (previous decrease) | -8.47% | 1 October 2025 | £82.73 (approx) |
All figures are drawn from supplier announcements and the Utility Regulator reporting on tariff reviews.
Regional comparison
From 1 April 2026 the Utility Regulator published a comparative snapshot showing combined regulated energy bills in Northern Ireland are generally lower than those in Ireland and similar to Great Britain when electricity and gas are combined for typical households.
- Combined bills-Power NI electricity paired with Firmus or SSE gas produces combined annual totals cited by the regulator (example: ~£1,870 to £1,934 for Northern Ireland).
- Drivers-Wholesale price declines and over-recovery adjustments were cited as the primary drivers.
- Timing-Both reductions were announced in late Feb/early March and implemented from 1 April 2026.
Tariff mechanics explained
Regulated tariffs in Northern Ireland are set after the Utility Regulator examines supplier cost components: wholesale procurement, network charges, operating costs, and any balancing adjustments (over/under-recoveries) that must be returned to or charged from customers.
- Utility Regulator opens formal review and collects supplier cost data and forecasts.
- Regulator calculates allowed revenue and any over- or under-recovery to be smoothed into tariffs.
- Final decision published and new price tables and notices issued to customers with an effective date.
Practical advice for customers
Customers on regulated tariffs will see the new prices automatically applied from their supplier's effective date; no action is necessary to receive the reduction.
- Check your bill-Confirm your supplier and network area (Greater Belfast & West vs Ten Towns) to see which reduction applies.
- Meter type-Savings quoted differ slightly by meter type (credit vs prepayment), so review your statement.
- Compare deals-Regulated tariff changes can shift the value of fixed deals and market offers; compare if considering a switch.
Regulatory and supplier quotes
"The reduction to the regulated gas tariffs for SSE Airtricity Gas Supply has resulted from a fall in wholesale gas costs and an over-recovery that is being returned to customers." - Leigh Greer, Head of Market Regulation, Utility Regulator (February 2026).
Historical context and trends
Since 2023 Northern Ireland gas tariffs have displayed a clear downward trend overall, punctuated by periodic wholesale volatility; major regulator and supplier adjustments occurred in July 2023 (c.12.2% decrease), April 2024 (c.22.8% decrease), October 2025 (c.8-8.5% supplier cuts) and April 2026 (8-10% reductions).
Example tariff table (illustrative)
| Supplier | Standing charge (p/day) | Unit rate (p/kWh) | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity | 43.0 | 7.01 | 1 April 2026 |
| Firmus Energy | 45.2 | 6.76 | 1 April 2026 |
Note: The table above is an illustrative snapshot built from published summaries and representative unit figures; customers should consult supplier tariff PDFs for exact published pence-per-kWh rates.
What to watch next
Watch Utility Regulator announcements and supplier press releases for quarterly or ad hoc reviews; significant wholesale moves (seasonal demand spikes, geopolitical events) can prompt interim reviews and smaller balancing adjustments.
Resources
- Utility Regulator notices - formal review outcomes and comparative bill tables are published on the regulator's site.
- Supplier tariff PDFs - SSE Airtricity and Firmus publish detailed tariff tables and explanatory notes (effective dates and unit rates).
- Consumer guidance - price comparison and switching guidance is available from local consumer advice sites and energy switching services.
Expert answers to Northern Ireland Gas Tariffs 2026 Latest What Changed This Month queries
[Are these changes automatic on my bill]?
Yes - regulated tariff changes decided by the Utility Regulator are applied by suppliers from the stated effective date, so customers on regulated tariffs will automatically receive the new prices without needing to contact their supplier.
[Do the reductions apply to businesses as well]?
Yes - the published reductions apply to domestic and small-business customers on regulated tariffs; separate commercial contracts may be priced differently.
[Will prices fall further in 2026]?
Future movement depends on wholesale market developments and regulator reviews; the Utility Regulator monitors markets and opens formal reviews when needed, so more adjustments could be possible later in 2026 if wholesale costs move significantly.
[How much will my household save exactly]?
Your precise saving depends on your annual gas consumption and meter type; suppliers published typical savings-about £80 for SSE Airtricity and about £94 for Firmus Energy on the average household-so check your last 12-month usage against those typical figures for a tailored estimate.
[Where can I verify the new rates]?
Confirm the exact pence-per-kWh and standing charge values on your supplier's tariff PDF or the Utility Regulator's website, which publish the full tariff tables and explanatory notes for each effective date.