
Cheap Northern Ireland Electricity
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If you live in Northern Ireland and want to switch to a cheaper energy deal, you've fewer options than the rest of the UK. But moving to a different electricity tariff – even with the same firm – could save you £100+/year.
This guide explains how energy switching in Northern Ireland works, plus which grants and freebies are available.
You CAN switch and save on electricity in Northern Ireland
Over 800,000 households use electricity in Northern Ireland, with just over half on a standard credit meter and the rest on prepay (ie, topping up with a key or card).
Unlike in England, Wales and Scotland, where you can choose from over 60 different energy suppliers and many different deals, in Northern Ireland there are just six domestic electricity firms.
But even though there are few options to choose from, it's well worth checking if you can save by switching. Based on typical use, some can save £100+/yr switching from the most expensive tariff to the cheapest.
Watch out for security deposits if switching provider. If you're on a credit meter, move firm and choose not to pay by direct debit, most suppliers require a hefty £125-£150 security deposit.
You'll usually get this back after 12 months or when you leave your supplier – whichever's earlier – provided your account has been paid off fully and on time, but it does add to initial costs. See full security deposit info below.

Switch without switching – you can often save even with the same firm
While it's always worth checking if you can save by switching to a different electricity supplier, in Northern Ireland the biggest savings can often be made by switching to your current provider's cheapest tariff, or even staying on the same tariff and simply changing how you pay.
Most suppliers offer 'online' and 'offline' versions of their tariffs. Being on an online tariff can be much cheaper, though you'll need to receive your bills by email and pay by direct debit.
How to find and switch to a cheaper electricity deal

Six different firms provide electricity in Northern Ireland. How much you can save depends on whether you're on a credit meter or prepay, plus where you are and your usage.
Compare to find YOUR cheapest price
To find YOUR cheapest deal you need to do a comparison. Unlike in the rest of the UK, in Northern Ireland comparison tools only show you what tariffs are available and how much you can potentially save based on the info you provide – they can't complete the switch for you, so you have to contact the supplier directly.
To compare, you can use the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland's tool. It's free and offers a full market comparison – the Consumer Council is an independent organisation with a legal responsibility to protect consumers' interests.
Alternatively you can try the Power to Switch tool. It's free and does a full market comparison.
How much can you save?
While you'll need to do a full comparison to see exactly how much you can save, here's how the cheapest typical deals on credit meters compare with standard tariffs.
Credit meter electricity tariffs by provider (based on typical use)
SUPPLIER | CHEAPEST TARIFF | CHEAPEST RATE (COST/YEAR) | STANDARD TARIFF (COST/YEAR) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bright Energy | Bright Future 24hr | £527 | £527 | ||||||
Budget Energy | Bill Pay 'Bonanza 21% Discount' | £500 | £624 | ||||||
Click Energy | Bill Pay 24 Big 1 Year Discount | £560 | £608 | ||||||
Electric Ireland | Simpler Living Discount | £525 (i) | £584 | ||||||
Power NI | Energy Online Direct Debit – Monthly | £537 |
£571 | ||||||
SSE Airtricity | Home Electricity – direct debit & e-bill | £504 (i) | £630 | ||||||
Tariffs correct as of March 2021. Based on typical usage of 3,200 kilowatt hours (kWh)/year, incl VAT. Source: The Consumer Council. If you choose not to pay by direct debit, all suppliers apart from Power NI require a £125-£150 security deposit. (i) Tariff only available to new customers. |
Unlike in England, Wales and Scotland, prepay users in Northern Ireland don't typically pay much more, so it's not necessarily worth switching to a credit meter (though you can – see how below). Here's how the cheapest prepay deals stack up:
Prepay electricity tariffs by provider (based on typical use)
SUPPLIER | CHEAPEST TARIFF | CHEAPEST RATE (COST/YEAR) | STANDARD TARIFF (COST/YEAR) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bright Energy | Bright Future 24hr | £562 | £562 | ||||||
Budget Energy | Keypad Energy 10% Discounted Tariff | £562 | £620 | ||||||
Click Energy | Bill Pay 24h 1 Year Discount | £560 | £616 | ||||||
Electric Ireland | Smarter Living Keypad | £584 (i) | £584 | ||||||
Power NI | Keypad Discount | £557 | £571 | ||||||
SSE Airtricity | Keypad Meter Intro Discount | £564 (ii) | £630 | ||||||
Tariffs correct as of March 2021. Based on typical usage of 3,200 kWh/year, incl VAT. Source: The Consumer Council. (i) Rate includes a £20 switching bonus. A further £20 bonus is credited after 12 months. (ii) New customers only. |
How to switch to a cheaper deal
Once you've found a cheaper deal, actually switching is straightforward, and there'll be no break in supply. The precise process depends on what kind of switch you're making:
- Switching to a different supplier? Contact the supplier you wish to switch to – you can call to switch or do it via its website. It'll sort out all the techy bits (and tell your current supplier you're leaving), then let you know when the switch is completed.
You'll need your meter point reference number if you've a credit meter or your keypad premise number if you use prepay – both can be found on your latest bill. There's a 10-working-day cooling-off period after you've started the switch, and after that you should be all switched over within a further 15 working days.
Switching to a different tariff with the same supplier? Most allow you to apply to move to a new tariff online, or you can do it over the phone – you shouldn't need your meter point reference number or keypad premise number, unless changing meters. As you're already a customer, there's no cooling-off period, and the switch should be quicker.
Changing the way you pay? If you're on a credit meter and want to stick to your current tariff and simply change the way you pay – which can still result in significant savings – simply call your current supplier or do it via its website.
You can't save much by switching gas
While savings can be made on electricity, unfortunately most can't save by switching gas.
There are currently only two gas suppliers in Northern Ireland: Firmus Energy and SSE Airtricity. However, only some people have the option of switching between these suppliers. What's more, even if you can switch, there are very little price differences between them.
Whether you can switch depends on what area you're in, as supply in Northern Ireland is split into three regions:
- The Greater Belfast area. This covers the Greater Belfast, Larne and East Down areas. SSE Airtricity and Firmus offer gas in this region, so you can switch.
- The Ten Towns area. This covers Londonderry/Derry, Limavady, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Portstewart, Newry, Craigavon, Antrim, Banbridge and Armagh – gas is only supplied by Firmus, so you've no alternative.
- The West area. This is set to cover those in Artigarvan, Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane. Gas is fairly new to these areas, with only about 1,000 people connected so far. Gas here is only supplied by SSE Airtricity.
As there are minimal savings to be made by switching gas, the best thing to do is cut down on usage to save. For tips on saving energy, from putting cling film on windows to making your own sausage-dog draft excluders, see our Insulation and Boilers guide.
There's also little difference in what you'll pay between prepay and credit meters – on average prepay is around £5/yr cheaper – which means you generally can't save much switching between the two.
Quick questions
Haggle or swap supplier to save on heating oil
Heating oil is the most popular heating fuel in Northern Ireland – around 68% of households use oil rather than gas. Using and buying heating oil in Northern Ireland works in much the same way as it does in the rest of the UK. For full help, including brokers and comparison sites, see our Heating Oil Prices guide.

The heating oil market in Northern Ireland is not regulated. However the Consumer Council, along with the Northern Ireland Oil Federation (NIOF), has developed a 'customer charter' that sets out minimum standards of service for consumers. To find a distributor that follows this charter in your area, check the NIOF's directory.
When buying heating oil, it's worth trying a few different suppliers and haggling to find the best available price. Prices are typically quoted per litre for 300 litres, 500 litres and 900 litres, and the more you buy, the cheaper per litre it will be. Be aware though, that the price of heating oil is likely to go up in winter due to higher demand.
Here's an idea of what you're likely to pay, according to the Consumer Council.
Typical heating oil prices
TABLE_CELL_STYLE | 300 LITRES | 500 LITRES | 900 LITRES | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average | £123 | £182 | £309 | ||||||
Cheapest | £114 | £178 | £296 | ||||||
Most Expensive | £136 | £199 | £339 | ||||||
Correct as of January 2021. Source: The Consumer Council. |
Quick question
Energy efficiency grants and discounts

Energy efficiency can help cut bills massively. There are various schemes on offer from suppliers and the Government – depending on your circumstances, you could get anything from a new boiler to better insulation, or a raft of other improvements.
Here are some of the main grants and offers available:
Affordable Warmth Grant. If your annual household income is less than £20,000, you could be eligible for a grant to install a range of improvements, from insulation to heating systems and controls, and even a full conversion from heating oil to gas heating. You can find out more on the NIdirect website, or check you're eligible for a grant by calling it on 0300 200 7874.
Boiler Replacement Scheme. This is open to everyone in non-rented households, with a total annual income of £40,000 or less and who has a boiler that is at least 15 years old. If you're eligible, you can get a grant of up to £1,000 to help pay for a condensing oil or gas boiler, to switch from heating oil to gas, or to switch to a wood pellet boiler. Find out more on the NIdirect website, or check you're eligible by calling it on 0344 892 0900 or register by email.
How to complain if things go wrong
First complain to your supplier. According to Northern Ireland's code of practice for the energy market, suppliers are required to resolve complaints within three months. We've listed the contact details for each supplier below.
Supplier contact details
SUPPLIER | PHONE | OPENING HOURS |
---|---|---|
Bright Energy | 0289 544 2290 | Mon to Fri: 8am-6pm |
Budget Energy | 0800 012 1177 | Mon to Fri: 8am-9pm, Sat: 11am-3pm |
Click Energy | 0800 107 0732 | Mon to Fri: 8am-8pm, Sat: 9am-4pm |
Electric Ireland | 0345 600 5335 | Mon to Sat: 8:30am-7pm |
Firmus Energy | 0800 032 4567 | Mon to Fri: 9am-5pm |
Power NI | 0345 745 5455 | Mon to Fri: 8am-7pm |
SSE Airtricity | 0345 601 9093 | Mon to Fri: 8am-8pm |
You can try calling your supplier initially – though if you get nowhere, try sending a formal email or letter. If the provider doesn't resolve the complaint, or you're not happy with the response, raise it with the Consumer Council – it has legal powers to act on your behalf and investigate your complaint.
While the Consumer Council isn't an ombudsman and can't make a ruling on your complaint, it can advocate on your behalf and work with the supplier to help reach a resolution. Electricity companies are required to respond to the Consumer Council within 10 days – so you should hear back shortly after this.
If that doesn't work, or the Consumer Council was unable to deal with your issue to your satisfaction, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Utility Regulator. The regulator can investigate the dispute and issue binding decisions on each complaint.
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