Energy bills to go up for Power NI and Firmus customers

Power NI and Firmus will raise energy prices for Northern Ireland customers from July 1, citing sustained high global energy costs [1]. Power NI's electricity unit price will increase by 6.2%, adding about £5 to the average monthly household bill [1]. Firmus will raise its natural gas tariff for Ten Towns customers by 15.65%, equating to an extra £10.70 per month [1]. William Steele, Power NI's Director of Customer Solutions, stated the increase was "not a decision we've taken lightly" and was unavoidable due to rising global gas and network costs [1]. David Smith, a director at Firmus, linked elevated wholesale prices to the unresolved conflict in the Middle East [1]. He noted the company had reduced tariffs by over 27% in the past year, saving customers an average of £300 annually, meaning bills will now be comparable to a year ago [1]. The UK's energy markets are regulated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), which operates under a policy framework focused on managing prices and supply reliability [2]. Leigh Greer of the Utility Regulator acknowledged the unwelcome news for consumers, attributing the hikes to global market impacts from the Middle East conflict, which has also affected fuel prices [1]. The UK's energy policy has evolved since the full liberalisation of gas and electricity markets in the late 1990s, with successive governments focusing on price management and decarbonisation [2]. The historical development of the UK electricity supply industry, documented from the 1870s, shows a long trajectory of regulatory and structural changes influencing current market dynamics [3].