Firmus customers in the Ten Towns area are to see their gas prices rise for the second time in 2022.
The Consumer Council says the 16.31% from May 3 will impact 59,000 households.
They say the further hike will see the yearly gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter rise by about £211 per year to £1,504. Those customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see costs increase by around £201 per year to £1,432.
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Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council said: "It is important that consumers are made aware that their domestic gas bills will stay high for at least the next year because the wholesale price that the companies pay for the gas continues to be much more expensive than the norm.
"Unfortunately heating oil prices are also very high, so regardless of the fuel we use, many of us will experience extreme pressure on our household budgets. This will further increase the numbers of people in fuel poverty, as many families may struggle to find the extra money they will now need to pay for heating.
"As the Winter 2021/22 Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme ends today (31 March 2022), we implore Firmus energy, and the wider energy industry, to commit to financially supporting the continuation of a fuel hardship scheme in the coming financial year.
"For the longer term, it is clear that energy companies, policy makers, the Utility Regulator, charities and the Consumer Council must continue to work together to develop sustainable solutions to help support those in need as the problem of high energy prices will likely be with us for the foreseeable future."
Firmus energy customers in Greater Belfast and in the gas to the West network area will not be impacted by this tariff change.
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