Utility Regulator Northern Ireland

Utility Regulator Northern Ireland We regulate the energy and water industries in Northern Ireland. This page is monitored 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.

As an economic regulator, our role is to enable, incentivise, and hold electricity, gas, and water companies to account, to protect the interests of consumers. While we won’t respond directly to comments or posts, if you have any queries, please contact us on [email protected]. You’ll also find lots more information about our work at www.uregni.gov.uk.

We’ve published new insights on Northern Ireland’s energy market 💡Our latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring (...
17/06/2026

We’ve published new insights on Northern Ireland’s energy market 💡

Our latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring (QREMM) Report for Q1 2026 provides a range of information about the electricity and gas markets in Northern Ireland. It includes data on market shares of suppliers, switching figures, consumption and connection figures. Electricity and gas pricing data for July to December 2025 is also included.

Looking at some of the switching figures, highlights from the report include:

➡️Overall, switching across gas and electricity has continued to remain high this quarter.
➡️There were over 4,400 switches amongst domestic gas customers in Greater Belfast, which is the second highest on record.
➡️In electricity, there were over 24,100 switches, which is a decrease compared to last quarter’s figures, but an increase from Q1 2025.

Within the report, you’ll also find a breakdown of each supplier’s market share and market activity.

Interested in finding out more? You’ll find the report on our website: tinyurl.com/2urc4v2f

*Deadline extended*We have extended the closing date for responses to our consultation paper on proposed supply licence ...
15/06/2026

*Deadline extended*

We have extended the closing date for responses to our consultation paper on proposed supply licence modifications outlined in our 'Third Party Intermediaries in the Energy Market’ Position Paper.

We welcome comments from all stakeholders on these proposals by 17:00 on 22 June 2026.

For further information on our consultation and details of how to respond, please visit our website 👇

https://www.uregni.gov.uk/consultations/consultations-proposed-supply-licence-modifications-outlined-third-party

Our current Placement Student, Breanna McLaughlin, recently came second in the Ulster University Business School Placeme...
15/06/2026

Our current Placement Student, Breanna McLaughlin, recently came second in the Ulster University Business School Placement Awards.

The Placement Awards is an event that celebrates the accomplishments of the University’s placement students and the contributions they make during their time with an organisation. Breanna featured in a ‘day in the life’ video, produced with the Utility Regulator’s Communications Team, highlighting the learnings and impact she made during her year. From over 150 entries, Breanna’s submission was awarded second place.

“This year has been so beneficial for me. Regulation was completely new to me, and at the start it felt like learning a whole new language, but by asking questions and being supported by my team, I’ve really developed my knowledge, broadened my interpersonal skills and confidence.

“The placement has also given me a real insight into how regulation works in practice. There is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Utility Regulator and I’ve learnt so much, from decision making and analysing information, to seeing how the different teams collaborate and work together to protect Northern Ireland consumers.

“To anyone who is considering a placement at the Utility Regulator, I would fully recommend it! There is such a friendly and supportive environment and the knowledge you learn is invaluable.”

The recruitment for the Student Placement 2027-2028 is planned for later this year. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact us on [email protected].

You can watch Breanna’s award winning video on our website: tinyurl.com/3bedh9w3

🚶‍♂️💙 We’re stepping out for a great cause today! Today, we’re proud to be hosting our Belfast Charity Walk as part of C...
12/06/2026

🚶‍♂️💙 We’re stepping out for a great cause today!

Today, we’re proud to be hosting our Belfast Charity Walk as part of Collaboration Network’s , in support of Alzheimer's Society.

Our team is taking on a 12.3-mile route across the city, joined by participants from partner organisations, including Consumer Council for Northern Ireland and Power NI, contributing to a UK-wide total of 98.2 miles — representing the 982,000 people living with dementia.

👉 We have raised £2,217 so far. If you’d like to support this important cause, you can still donate here: https://lnkd.in/dD7XmHUi

If you are a small business owner, have you thought about switching energy supplier? Using the Consumer Council for Nort...
11/06/2026

If you are a small business owner, have you thought about switching energy supplier?

Using the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland's small business energy price comparison tool could save you money.

The tool enables all non-domestic small businesses, charities or other small organisations, using up to 50,000kWh of electricity or up to 73,200kWh of natural gas per year, to compare prices from suppliers in Northern Ireland. There are a range of suppliers and tariffs available.

With suppliers changing their prices frequently, the small business energy price comparison tool could help keep you informed about new prices.

Find out more at the Consumer Council’s website: tinyurl.com/4cantuwx

Have you thought about switching energy supplier or changing your tariff or billing method? You could save money by usin...
10/06/2026

Have you thought about switching energy supplier or changing your tariff or billing method?

You could save money by using the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland's electricity and gas comparison tools and tables.

The price comparison tables compare all electricity, gas and Economy 7 tariffs available in Northern Ireland, correct on the day of comparison.

Find out more at the Consumer Council’s website: tinyurl.com/5aeb9c8r

One week to go! 🚶‍♂️💙We’re proud to be hosting a fundraising Charity Walk in Belfast on 12 June, as part of Collaboratio...
05/06/2026

One week to go! 🚶‍♂️💙

We’re proud to be hosting a fundraising Charity Walk in Belfast on 12 June, as part of Collaboration Network’s Vulnerability Week, in support of Alzheimer's Society.

Our team will take on a 12.3-mile walk across Belfast, contributing to a UK-wide total of 98.2 miles, representing the 982,000 people living with dementia.

👉 If you would like to support this important cause, donations can be made via JustGiving: https://lnkd.in/dD7XmHUi

As a signatory of Translink's Better on Board Charter, we’re proud to be taking part in the Active Travel Challenge this...
04/06/2026

As a signatory of Translink's Better on Board Charter, we’re proud to be taking part in the Active Travel Challenge this June.

This is a great opportunity to encourage more active and sustainable journeys and support the NI Climate Change Act’s decarbonisation targets.

Colleagues from our Consumer Protection Team recently attended a Trussell Trust event, focussed on finding solutions to ...
03/06/2026

Colleagues from our Consumer Protection Team recently attended a Trussell Trust event, focussed on finding solutions to ending the need for food banks in Northern Ireland.

The event brought together passionate organisations who dedicate themselves to supporting individuals facing hardship. These organisations play a vital role in making positive changes for those in poverty, with the shared aim that ‘Everyone in Northern Ireland deserves access to a warm, safe, sustainable home; affordable, nutritious food for themselves and their families; and enough money to guarantee their essentials.’

At the event, we had the opportunity to meet these organisations, hear from experts by experience of the impacts of food poverty, listen to research presentations and attend workshops to share information.

The work of the Utility Regulator is focussed on protecting consumers, with a particular focus on those in vulnerable circumstances. We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen our impact in helping Northern Ireland consumers.

We have published a consultation on our Draft Determination for firmus energy Supply’s Price Control, that we refer to a...
02/06/2026

We have published a consultation on our Draft Determination for firmus energy Supply’s Price Control, that we refer to as SPC27.

Setting price controls is one of the most significant activities carried out by an economic regulator. Price controls are generally used for a company that is in a monopoly position and therefore acts to protect consumers and ensures they get the best value for money from the services provided.

In the case of SPC27, the price control will set an efficient level of revenue for Firmus Energy Supply to run its business. They then collect this revenue from their customers in the Ten Towns area, through regulated gas tariffs.

Over the four-year price control period we are proposing an allowance of £24 million in operating costs and a margin that is equivalent to 2% of turnover. The allowances we are proposing make up around 10% of a typical domestic customer’s bill (as of the 1 July 2026 tariff rate).

Stakeholder engagement plays an important part in our price control process, and we encourage you to become part of this.

Further information about the consultation and details on how to respond can be found on our website: tinyurl.com/356wjfv4

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