SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland's largest natural gas supplier, will increase its regulated tariff by 19.2% from 1 October 2026. The rise affects about 204,000 domestic customers and 4,500 small commercial customers in the Greater Belfast and West gas networks. A typical household with a credit meter will pay an extra £174 per year, while prepayment (PAYG) customers face an increase of £172 annually.

Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, said the change means the average annual gas bill for a credit customer will reach around £1,080, and for a keypad customer around £1,065. Combined with electricity, households in the Greater Belfast and West networks could see annual energy bills exceed £2,000.

The increase follows a review by the Utility Regulator, which attributed the rise to sustained wholesale gas cost increases caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Wholesale gas prices have reached 169 pence per therm, double pre-conflict levels. The Strait of Hormuz closure has disrupted global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Colin Broomfield, Markets Director at the Utility Regulator, said the regulator's role is to ensure consumers pay no more than necessary while suppliers can recover efficiently incurred costs. He encouraged anyone worried about paying bills to contact their supplier early and noted free advice is available from Advice NI, Christians Against Poverty, the Consumer Council and MoneyHelper.

Stephen Gallagher, managing director at SSE Airtricity, said the company had no choice but to increase tariffs. He noted the firm reduced tariffs twice in the previous year by 16.6% but the unprecedented volatility in global markets forced the rise. Customers concerned about bills are urged to contact the company.

Andy Allen MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group on Fuel Poverty, called for targeted support for gas customers most at risk. He noted that close to one in four households in Northern Ireland are already in fuel poverty, and the rise could push more into hardship. He said the £100 home heating oil payment and proposed electricity discount of over £50 do not directly address the gas increase.

The Consumer Council advised consumers to consider switching payment methods or suppliers to save money, and to use its free comparison tool. A Stormont scheme giving eligible households a £100 voucher towards home heating oil opens for applications next month. An electricity bill discount of around £50 for all households is expected in October.