Northern Ireland businesses report less concern over energy bills, although one in every five firms continues to worry about costs, new research from the Utility Regulator shows.

The 2026 Non-domestic Consumer Insight Tracker Survey questioned 500 business electricity and gas customers across the region in November and December 2025. It found the share of respondents concerned about their energy costs fell to 22 per cent, down from 30 per cent a year earlier.

Most businesses now say they rarely struggle to pay: 90 per cent of electricity customers and 96 per cent of gas customers reported never having difficulty meeting bills. Yet the regulator noted prices remain well above pre-pandemic levels, a factor that still feeds anxiety for many firms.

Awareness of market choices is growing. In the latest survey, 80 per cent of businesses knew they could switch supplier, up from 74 per cent in 2025, and 79 per cent understood they could select different tariff types, up from 71 per cent.

The survey recorded sharp rises in customer satisfaction. Among electricity users, 80 per cent expressed satisfaction, compared with 62 per cent the previous year. For gas it rose to 77 per cent from 65 per cent. Trust in suppliers also improved: 57 per cent of electricity customers and 59 per cent of gas customers felt they received clear information and a fair price, significant increases on the prior year.

Despite this, few businesses switch. Just 27 per cent of electricity customers and 20 per cent of gas customers had changed supplier in the last five years. The overwhelming reason given for staying was contentment with their current arrangement.

Colin Magee, Utility Regulator non-domestic consumer protection manager, said the findings were encouraging and pointed to improved outcomes for many. He cautioned, however, that the survey was conducted before the escalation of conflict in the Middle East earlier this year, which has injected fresh volatility into wholesale energy markets, and business experiences may since have shifted.

The regulator intends to publish further qualitative research later this summer examining hardship among small businesses. It also plans a consultation later in 2026 on a new Code of Practice to extend protections for non-domestic consumers.