CLICK Energy is hiking electricity prices for the second time in just a month, prompting fears that other utilities may follow suit.
It imposed a 9 per cent rise from September 1, which saw a typical customer pay an extra £55 a year for their power.
But yesterday it came back for a second bite of the cherry, confirming that prices would go up by another 16 per cent from October 1, meaning the typical bill payer will need to find up to an extra £100 a year.
The standard tariff average cost will jump from £660 to £760.50 a year, while keypad customers will pay slightly more at £768.65.
Click, which only entered the electricity market six years ago and is one of the north's smallest players, has 36,000 domestic customers, of whom the majority (30,800) are currently on prepayment meters.
Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council, said: “This news will adversely impact all Click Energy customers already experiencing financial pressures on their household budget especially considering it is the second increase by the supplier in one month.
“Any consumers who are experiencing financial difficulty and are struggling with their energy bills should contact Click Energy to find out how they can help during this time.”
He added: “The Consumer Council would encourage all consumers to shop around to ensure they are on the best energy deal. Click Energy have also stated that there will be no exit fee applied to customers who switch supplier before September 30.”
The north's largest supplier Power NI put bills up by 6.9 per cent for its 450,000 domestic users in July, SSE Airtricity imposed a 9.7 per cent rise from August 1 and Electric Ireland introduced a 10.2 per cent tariff hike.
But given eye-watering increases of more than 150 per cent in wholesale costs, which make up around 90 per cent of users' bills, there are real fears that utilities might introduce fresh and more severe hikes.
Earlier this week firmus energy increased gas bills by 35 per cent for customers in its Ten Towns area.
