Today the Utility Regulator publishes the ‘Review of firmus energy (Supply) Ltd price control scope’. The consultation paper explores the option of reducing the scope of the firmus energy price control to exclude EUC 2 customers in the Ten Towns area. This follows on from the removal of price controls on Power NI and SSE Airtricity in certain non-domestic market segments following sufficient loss of market share.
Should this proposal be enacted, non-domestic customers consuming between 2,500 and 25,000 therms (73,200 and 732,000 kWh) per annum will no longer be covered by the price control and thus will be unable to avail of a regulated firmus tariff. Only domestic customers and small businesses consuming less than 2,500 therms per annum will be covered by the price control.
Also being published is the Article 14 Notice, showing the proposed changes to firmus’ gas licence in the Ten Towns area. A copy of the notice has been shared directly with firmus.
We anticipate the effective date of any of the proposed changes to the scope of the firmus price control will be 1 April 2018.
We are keen to hear all stakeholder views on the proposals set out in this consultation paper, and are seeking responses by 20 November 2017.
Copies of the notice and consultation paper can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.
Ways to respond:
Colin MageeThe Utility RegulatorQueens House14 Queen StreetBelfastBT1 6ED