Northern Ireland electricity and gas

High energy prices are an issue across the UK, and Northern Ireland is no exception. Some firms are offering discounted tariffs, so use our guide to find the best provider for you before you switch.

We did not include Northern Ireland in this year's energy survey. However, we've researched different energy firms so you can be sure your provider is meeting your power needs. In previous years, our customer survey has shown very little difference between firms.

A key difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is that electricity and gas markets usually operate separately from each other - meaning 'dual fuel' tariffs aren't common. 

Many companies in Northern Ireland offer a pay-as-you-go tariff, sometimes called a 'keypad' tariff, where customers top up before they use any power.

Keep reading to see the full rundown of the biggest energy companies in Northern Ireland.

Facing bigger bills from your energy provider? See our top 10 ways to save on energy bills.

Northern Ireland electricity and gas market

The regulated market in Northern Ireland means that prices are relatively stable, though the recent energy crisis has had an effect on Northern Ireland, and customers have seen prices rise.

Around two in every three homes in Northern Ireland are heated by oil, according to the Utility Regulator. The gas network is expanding to reach more homes and is considering using biomethane to decarbonise the gas system. 

If you heat your home with oil read our tips on getting the best heating oil price.

At the moment, there are only two gas suppliers that households can choose from: Firmus Energy and SSE Airtricity Gas. 

Customers in Greater Belfast can choose either. Customers in the Ten Towns area can only use Firmus Energy, and customers in the west can only choose SSE Airtricity Gas.

For electricity, there is a little more choice:

Power NI

Power NI has the most customers of all Northern Ireland energy firms, supplying nearly 500,000 homes. It's more than 80 years old and is proud of its 'customer-first' approach.

It says that it sells 100% renewable electricity from wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass generators in Northern Ireland. 

Power NI's customer 'perks' include a loyalty rewards scheme, and savings on brands and retailers including M&S, Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Apple and iTunes.

You can pay by direct debit when you receive your bill or via keypad. You can choose to get your bills online or by post (which costs extra). There's a dedicated tariff for electric vehicle owners that offers cheaper pricing if you charge overnight.

Power NI is part of Energia Group, which generates power (including from renewables) and invests in flexible generation.

SSE Airtricity

Founded in 1997, SSE Airtricity has two branches: one that sells electricity and one selling gas. 

It's the largest gas provider, supplying around 200,000 homes, and the second-biggest electricity supplier after Power NI, powering more than 150,000 homes.

SSE Airtricity says that around 58% of the electricity it supplies is renewable and comes from wind farms in Northern Ireland. 

Its 'Rewards' include competitions to win tickets to events at the SSE Arena Belfast, tech products and discounts off some products or subscriptions.

SSE Airticity offers a standard rate for electricity, and a discount for paying by direct debit and getting your bills by email. It also offers keypad tariffs. 

To get its gas tariffs, you'll need to live in Greater Belfast or the west. SSE Airtricity Gas' tariff options are a quarterly payment or pay-as-you-go.

 SSE Airtricity also sells boiler services by its engineers. You don't have to be a customer to book one.

Budget Energy 

Budget Energy, founded in 2010, is the third-largest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland with more than 90,000 customers. 

It offers three billed tariffs and five pay-as-you-go keypad tariffs. These include 12 month fixed-term tariffs and some which give you credit after being a customer for a certain period.

None of Budget Energy's tariffs require security deposits. 

Electric Ireland

Electric Ireland is the retail arm of the Electricity Supply Board, the majority of whose shares are held by the Irish government. It has more than 60,000 customers in Northern Ireland and also supplies homes in the Republic of Ireland.

It has a choice of five plans including monthly bills and keypad plans.

It costs less to pay your monthly bills by direct debit and view them online. New keypad customers can get £200 welcome credit. There's an exit fee of £40 if you want to leave before the end of these tariffs.

Alternatively, Electric Ireland's pricier standard tariffs have no contract, exit fees or bonuses.

Click Energy

Click Energy, launched in 2015, claims to be Northern Ireland's friendliest and most transparent electricity company. It sells electricity to homes, commercial buildings and farms.

You can choose to pay monthly or pay-as-you-go via keypad. Its keypad 'Powershift' tariff has different rates at different times of day so you can save money by changing when you use electricity. 

Click Energy's Clickbacks loyalty scheme gives customers discounts from 200 brands and retailers, including H&M, TK Maxx, M&S, Tesco and Sainsbury's, and runs monthly prize draws. It's only for Click Energy customers, so you'll lose discounts if you switch supplier.

Firmus Energy

Firmus Energy, based in Antrim, Northern Ireland, provides natural gas to homes and businesses. You can choose to buy your gas from Firmus Energy if you live in Greater Belfast or the Ten Towns area.

It sells both monthly and pay-as-you-go tariffs. Its 'online' tariffs require you to pay by direct debit, submit your meter readings every three months and view your bills online. If you don't, you'll lose the discount rate. Its 'offline' tariffs are pricier and include paper bills and Firmus Energy reading your meter once a year.

In trying to reduce oil dependency, Firmus Energy is currently running a competition for new customers who switch from oil to natural gas to win a free installation. 

Share Energy

Share Energy, based in Belfast, launched in September 2024 and is the newest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland. Share Energy claims it will share 50% of future profits with customers. 

It sells both monthly and pay-as-you-go tariffs for 24-hour standard unit rates and economy 7. In addition, Share Energy has a monthly tariff, Share EV, that offers a lower night rate for owners of electric vehicles. 

As mentioned, Share Energy claims that when it does make a profit, it will share 50% of said profits with its customers. To be eligible, you must be a customer on the pay out date. Share Energy predicts that when it eventually turns a profit, the share date will most likely occur in July.  

Face the damp and chilly months with our electric heater reviews and dehumidifier reviews. Our test results reveal which are the cheapest to run.

Switching electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland

Even when prices are similar, it's always good to stay informed on energy companies and consider whether your provider is right for you. 

If you think you need a cheaper deal, want to use sustainable power, or feel like your energy supplier isn't doing as much as it should, switching may be the right choice for you.

See our guide on how to switch energy supplier for more information on switching.