Click Energy has announced a 3.5% increase in household electricity rates due to rising wholesale and market costs. The change, effective from November 1, is expected to raise the typical annual electricity bill by approximately £39.60.
In a statement, Click Energy mentioned that it had not adjusted its domestic prices in over three years. Andy Porter from Click Energy explained that the sustained increase in wholesale and market costs necessitated this adjustment in rates. Porter emphasized the company’s commitment to providing transparent pricing and customer support, while also indicating awareness of the financial burden such increases may pose for consumers.
Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council, noted that a typical Click Energy credit customer would see their annual bill rise from around £1,141 to £1,171, while a typical prepayment customer would experience an increase to approximately £1,181. Gormley acknowledged that while this news is disappointing for roughly 33,000 Click Energy customers, the primary reasons behind the increase are related to rising wholesale and market prices. He advised consumers to re-evaluate their payment methods and explore potential options for reducing energy costs.
In related news, Power NI recently stated that a 4% hike in electricity prices was unavoidable following a regulatory review, marking its second price increase within a year. In contrast, SSE Airtricity announced an 8.47% reduction in gas prices for residents in Greater Belfast and surrounding areas. Additionally, Firmus Energy reported an almost 8% decrease in gas prices for customers in the Ten Towns area, translating to a reduction of £78 annually for a typical user. The Ten Towns area includes several counties, including Antrim and Armagh.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c709j8z52ldo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss