Budget Energy announces 9.5% price increase
Budget Energy is increasing variable electricity tariffs by 9.5% from 4 August, adding around £122 a year to a typical customer’s bill.
By BBC News
Budget Energy customers in Northern Ireland are facing a 9.5% rise in variable electricity tariffs from 4 August.
The supplier says the increase is due to continued volatility in wholesale energy markets.
According to the Consumer Council, the change will add around £122 a year to the bill of a typical credit customer.
A standard-rate keypad customer will see an increase of around £121 a year.
The rise will take a typical Budget Energy credit customer’s annual bill from about £1,281 to around £1,403.
For a standard-rate keypad customer, the average annual bill is expected to rise from about £1,270 to around £1,390.
Customers on fixed-price deals will not be affected immediately and will continue paying their agreed rates until their contract ends.
Budget Energy said affected customers will be contacted directly with details of the new tariffs.
The company’s managing director, Ken O’Byrne, said the decision was disappointing for households already facing pressure from everyday costs.
He said the supplier would continue to monitor market conditions and encouraged customers to review their tariff choices.
The announcement means all five of Northern Ireland’s main electricity suppliers have now introduced or announced price increases this year.
Click Energy increased tariffs by 9.5% from 1 April.
Share Energy introduced a 26.4% rise from the same date.
Power NI raised tariffs by 6.2% from 1 July, while SSE Airtricity is increasing electricity tariffs by 6.2% from 1 August.
The Consumer Council said households struggling to pay electricity bills or top up a keypad meter should contact their supplier as soon as possible for help and advice.
It also encouraged customers to check whether they could reduce costs by changing payment method, billing method or supplier.
Being on a standard tariff and paying when a bill arrives is often one of the most expensive ways to pay for electricity.
Customers may be able to save money by switching to direct debit, moving to online billing or comparing available tariffs.
The Consumer Council provides a free independent energy price comparison tool for Northern Ireland.
People without internet access, or those who need support checking tariffs, can contact the Consumer Council by phone on 0800 121 6022 or by email at contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.
The latest increase adds further pressure to household budgets at a time when energy bills remain a major concern for many families.
For customers affected by the rise, the practical step is to check their current tariff, compare alternatives and contact the supplier early if they are worried about paying.