SSE cuts gas and power rates by 10%

The reduction, announced around a fortnight after Power NI confirmed the same cut in its electricity prices, will apply to all of SSE Airtricity’s 345,000 home and small business customers - roughly one third of the Province’s energy market.

“This is our third successive price cut for home energy customers and I’m pleased that we’re delivering once again on our long-standing promise to bring down gas and electricity prices when we can for the benefit of our customers,” said SSE Aitricity MD Stephen Wheeler.

“With today’s announcement we are further cutting gas and electricity prices by just over 10% for each fuel type, meaning annual savings for a typical household energy customer with SSE Airtricity of over £100.

“This is the third successive price cut by SSE Airtricity in just over 12 months, meaning in the same period we’ve delivered energy cost savings of £260 for our household energy customers. That’s making a difference where it matters most for our customers, in the household purse.”

Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell said: “The planned reduction follows continuing falls in wholesale gas prices on the world market, and reflects the latest estimates on forward prices.

“News that SSE Airtricity electricity prices will fall by 10.3% with effect from 1 June 2016 is also extremely welcome news for consumers right across Northern Ireland.”

Utilities Regulator Jenny Pyper said: “This reduction follows on from two price decreases in 2015, meaning that over the last year, these customers will have experienced a drop in prices of almost 24%.

Referring to the electricity tariff, she added: “Whilst we don’t price regulate SSE Airtricity in respect of their electricity prices, their 10.3% reduction is further good news for consumers, which we welcome.”