AQW 42304/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 13/02/2015
Answered On Date: 25/02/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what actions are being taken to encourage competition and compel transparency in pricing in the domestic gas supply market.

Answer:

The natural gas market in Greater Belfast is fully open to gas supply competition. The gas market in the “10 Towns” licence area outside Belfast is already open to supply competition for larger energy users and will open fully for all consumers from April 2015.

Unlike the situation in Great Britain, prices of incumbent gas suppliers in Northern Ireland are subject to regulation. The Utility Regulator's spring 2015 reviews of Airtricity Gas Supply and firmus energy, the incumbent gas suppliers in Greater Belfast and the “10 Towns” respectively, are underway. These reviews scrutinise the constituent elements of retail gas tariffs, ensuring transparency, and providing assurance for consumers.