Business

Gas users in Ten Towns area have their bills cut again

Michael Scott, managing director of firmus energy
Michael Scott, managing director of firmus energy Michael Scott, managing director of firmus energy

FIRMUS Energy natural gas customers outside Belfast are having another 12.5 per cent lopped off their tariffs, meaning they'll have their lowest bills in nearly a decade.

A total of 50,000 business and residential users in the provider's Ten Towns area - which includes Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Craigavon, Limavady, Derry and Newry - will benefit from the cut, which applies from October 1.

But at this time there will be no change to the regulated tariff for gas customers in the Greater Belfast area.

It's the third price drop in the last 12 months in the Ten Towns area and means firmus's natural gas tariff is 37 per cent cheaper than a year ago and its lowest rate since 2011.

For the average domestic customer, it means a reduction of £63 a year.

Michael Scott, managing director of firmus energy, said: “We recognise many households and businesses are facing severe financial uncertainty because of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, while others will have seen their energy consumption change significantly as a result of working and schooling from home.

“We appreciate the hardship many customers are facing and are committed to providing the lowest possible prices to ensure natural gas continues to be an attractive offering for both domestic and business customers.

“This announcement will be welcome news to the 50,000 customers we supply in our Ten Towns network.”

The reduction follows consultation with the Utility Regulator, Consumer Council and the Department for the Economy.

Utility Regulator chief executive Jenny Pyper said: “Firmus energy’s domestic gas tariff continues to compare well with bills in other regions, currently 37 per cent below the Bord Gais standard tariff in RoI and 10 per cent lower than the default tariff cap level in GB.

“The decrease is due to a combination of the supplier over recovering revenue during the current tariff period, as well as the impact of falling commodity costs. The over recovery was caused in large part by a one off decrease to distribution network charges, a reduction specific to the Ten Towns area.”