Gas company Flogas and electricity supplier Power N| have both increased their prices significantly from October 1st.

Customers of Flogas in Fermanagh have recently received letters detailing that they would be implementing a price increase of 21.98p per cubic metre which is effective from October 1st.

The company cited that the significant increase in oil prices over the past year and an increase in wholesale costs as the reason for the change to their prices. 

The letter also details that Flogas have ‘waited for as long as we could in the hope that wholesale prices would turn around. Unfortunately this has not happened and we have no choice but to pass on these increases.’ 

To add further pressures to homeowners, Power NI previously announced their price increase which has seen prices rise by 13.8% from October 1st. 

Power NI stated that the price hike is due to the ‘increase in wholesale electricity costs, such as the fuel used to generate electricity.’

They also state that ‘the rate change is as low as possible, and is supported by the Utility Regulator,’ explaining that their prices are still ‘lower than they were five years ago.’

Kevin Lawrenson from Citizen’s Advice Bureau believes that companies need further scrutinising when it comes to putting up their prices. 

“The gas price has gone up by 12% , and while this will have a minimal impact on people in Fermanagh, it is still an increasing bill. We have just had a rise in the price of electricity too, and if you look at the time of year that these bills are increasing – winter – when these services are needed most. The Consumer Council say that they are monitoring and scrutinising these companies but this does not stop them from putting the prices up. The rises are astronomical. The gas has risen by 12% and the electricity has increased by over 13%.

Any rise is bad for people here – this is the second rise of the year and they are putting people’s back to the wall with these increases.”