Energy firm SSE has announced a 42.7% price hike on its gas - to come into effect from July 1.
The company blamed “significant pressure” on global energy markets.
This tariff change means a typical household customer will see an average increase equivalent to around £1.02 per day. The price change comes into effect from 1 July 2022 and will apply to all domestic and small business customers supplied by SSE Airtricity, they added.
Read more: Power NI electricity prices to go up by 27.5% from July
The Consumer Council says the "significant rise will result in an increase of £372 per year to the gas bill of a household with a credit meter and customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see their costs increase by £367 per year, taking the overall average household yearly gas bill to over £1,200".
Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI) said: “We understand energy prices are a serious concern for families across Northern Ireland and know this is not the news our customers want to hear. The cost of purchasing natural gas has remained at its highest level in over a decade and at times in recent months, it has hit record highs.
“Following our last price announcement, we had hoped for some market improvements; however, the war in Ukraine has intensified the energy crisis and compounded the issues facing all energy suppliers today.
“We would encourage any customer who is having difficulty with their energy costs to please contact us, and we will work with you to find a solution together. Meanwhile, we will continue to watch markets closely and will pass on reductions as soon as we can.”
SSE Airtricity says they are “continuing to engage with key stakeholders around the administration of its £1m charity donation and will be in a position to announce details of the charity over the coming weeks, with updates to follow on the company website”.
The news was announced on Wednesday as a previously announced 33% increase in its electricity tarif came into force.
The move is the latest in a wave of huge price increases for gas, electricity and oil which has sparked a cost of living crisis.
The Consumer Council has said the latest electricity increase will see the SSE standard tariff for credit meter and pay-as-you-go customers increase by £248 to just over £1,000 a year.
Rival firms have also increased prices recently.
Electric Ireland increased its prices by 30%, while Budget Ireland raised prices by 27%.
Read more: Belfast travel agent's top tips for holidaymakers and how to get the best deal
Read more: Martin Lewis' top travel money tip to stop you getting ripped off
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
