Gas users in Northern Ireland were today hit with another substantial price hike. Just as winter approaches Phoenix Natural Gas said it was putting up prices by 14.5 per cent from Sunday.
The company blamed the continuing volatility of wholesale energy prices for the rise which follows a 17 per cent rise last January and a 30 per cent increase four months before.
The Energy Regulator said the news was clearly another blow to consumers - but said that but for intervention by him and the Consumer Council the rise would have been bigger.
Peter Dixon, chief executive of Phoenix insisted the price rise followed a "transparent consultation process" involving the regulator and Consumer Council. "Phoenix recognises the impact higher energy costs have on our customers and it is important to clarify to our customers today why the tariff price has changed - it is the continuing volatility of wholesale energy prices that is driving the cost increase," Mr Dixon said.
He said it had been widely reported wholesale energy prices for the coming winter had fallen from the record highs earlier in the year. The company was buying gas for customers this winter at the lower price, he said, but it was still higher than those of last winter
PA