Northern Ireland Households Hit with 19% Gas Price Hike Amid Global Energy Crisis

Northern Ireland households are facing a significant increase in gas prices as the conflict in the Middle East continues to impact global energy markets. The Consumer Council has warned that households could be facing a 'very serious situation this winter' due to higher gas, electricity, and heating oil prices.

The wholesale price of natural gas rose above £1.70 per therm on Friday, more than double the level experienced last winter. This increase is expected to lead to a 19% price hike for over 205,000 households supplied by SSE Airtricity from October 1, adding around £174 to the average annual bill.

The Consumer Council's head of energy policy Raymond Gormley expressed concern that household budgets are already being stretched and that this increase will leave many paying more than £2,000 per year for gas and electricity. He noted that Northern Ireland's reliance on fossil fuels makes it vulnerable to volatile global energy markets.