Budget Energy will raise its residential electricity variable tariffs by 9.5 percent from 4 August, adding approximately £122 a year to a typical credit customer’s bill and £121 for a standard-rate keypad customer. The move affects around 105,000 households.

Managing Director Ken O’Byrne said the increase reflects continued volatility in wholesale energy markets and wider pressures. He acknowledged the difficulty for households facing everyday costs and urged customers to review their tariff options to ensure they are on the best plan.

Fixed-price tariffs are not affected. Customers on those deals will continue paying their existing rates for the duration of their contracts.

Budget Energy is the third largest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland. Its announcement means all five domestic electricity suppliers have now either implemented or declared price increases in recent weeks. SSE Airtricity confirmed a 6.2 percent rise from 1 August, while Power NI applied an identical increase from 1 July.

The Consumer Council said the latest change will push a typical credit customer’s annual standard tariff to around £1,403, with a typical keypad customer paying approximately £1,390. Head of Energy Policy Raymond Gormley noted that rising wholesale costs make such moves understandable but disappointing for households.

Gormley stressed that being on a standard tariff and paying on receipt of a bill is the most expensive method and recommended that consumers consider switching payment methods, changing billing arrangements, or moving supplier to reduce costs. The Consumer Council offers a free online price comparison tool and can be contacted by telephone or email for those without internet access.

Any customer struggling to pay is advised to contact Budget Energy directly for support.