Power NI announced on 5 September 2025 that a review of its residential unit price has resulted in a 4% increase, effective 1 October 20251. The change has been approved by the Utility Regulator and applies to domestic customers only1. Power NI is the only price-controlled electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, with tariffs adjusted through a regulatory formula and costs approved by the Utility Regulator1.
On average, customers will pay 11p more per day from 1 October 20251. That figure is calculated using the Power NI standard Home Energy rate and an average household usage of 3,200 units (kWh) per year1. The 4% increase applies to Power NI Home Energy customers, and the company says other preserved tariffs may vary1.
Power NI attributes the increase to increases in market operation and network related charges1. William Steele, Director of Power NI Customer Solutions, said:
"We work hard to keep our prices as low as possible. Even though we have seen wholesale energy prices stabilise, they remain higher than previous years. Unfortunately, rising regulated pass-through market and network related costs which are beyond our control, have made a tariff adjustment unavoidable."
The company also states that bill paying customers can save up to £60 a year through online billing and monthly Direct Debit, and that pay-as-you-go Keypad customers get uncapped discounts as well as free electricity when topping up £50 or more using the free Power NI app or via the website1. Power NI says customers can top up by app, online, or by calling its automated 24/7 payment line on 08000 285 4551.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Increase | 4% on the residential unit price |
| Effective date | 1 October 2025 |
| Average daily impact | 11p more per day |
| Basis of average | Standard Home Energy rate, 3,200 kWh a year |
| Applies to | Domestic customers only |
| Approval | Utility Regulator |
Why it matters for households
Northern Ireland's electricity market operates separately from Great Britain's, and Power NI is the only supplier whose prices are set through a regulatory formula rather than by competition alone1. For a household on the standard Home Energy rate, the increase works out at roughly 11p a day, or a little over £3 a month, based on the company's average usage figure of 3,200 kWh a year1. That is a unit price change, so a home that uses more electricity than the average will see a larger cash effect, and one that uses less will see a smaller one.
Because the tariff is price-controlled, the change reflects costs approved by the Utility Regulator rather than a commercial decision taken in isolation1. Power NI states that the increase follows rises in market operation and network related charges, which it describes as beyond its control1. The company says its tariffs remain competitive locally and below the equivalent GB and Republic of Ireland average1. No figure for the new unit rate itself, and no comparison with the previous rate in pence per kWh, has been reported in the announcement1.
For a household's energy independence, the practical point is that the unit price is the part of the bill a home can influence through how much electricity it uses, while the standing charge and the regulated pass-through costs are not. The announcement does not set out any change to the standing charge1.
What happens next
The new unit price takes effect on 1 October 20251. The announcement gives no further scheduled review date, and no indication of whether a subsequent adjustment is expected1.
Sources1 cited
- Power NI tariff announcement 5 September 2025, powerni.co.uk