27/05/2010
Competition Sparks Northern Power Market
A Republic of Ireland energy firm will begin selling power to households in Northern Ireland in June.
Airtricity will be the first company to compete with NIE Energy in the domestic electricity market.
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Airtricty Managing Director, Kevin Greenhorn announced its entry into the NI consumer electricity market on Tuesday.
The Minister said: "This is welcome news for domestic electricity customers, who for the first time will be able to choose their electricity supplier."
The electricity market in Northern Ireland has actually been fully opened to competition since 1 November 2007, and while there has been customer switching in the business sector, domestic customers have had no alternative to NIE Energy, as their electricity supplier.
Arlene Foster continued: "The announcement by Airtricity is proof that the Single Electricity Market has delivered transparency and increased electricity supply competition for domestic customers, in Northern Ireland.
"Customers will be able to compare electricity costs and levels of service being offered before choosing their electricity supplier," she said.
The Dublin-based company claimed that its entry into the NI market will create 75 jobs, a number that it said will rise as its business grows.
The firm also said it is expected that it will initially undercut prices by about 14% and that the discount is expected to stay in place for at least 12 months and will cut the average household bill from £500 to £430.
A spokesperson for the existing generator NIE said that it recognised a new entrant to the domestic market gave customers more choice.
"We have been preparing for a more competitive environment for some time. Last year we reduced our prices by 15% and we are due to make another pricing announcement within the next few months."
(BMcC/GK)
Airtricity will be the first company to compete with NIE Energy in the domestic electricity market.
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Airtricty Managing Director, Kevin Greenhorn announced its entry into the NI consumer electricity market on Tuesday.
The Minister said: "This is welcome news for domestic electricity customers, who for the first time will be able to choose their electricity supplier."
The electricity market in Northern Ireland has actually been fully opened to competition since 1 November 2007, and while there has been customer switching in the business sector, domestic customers have had no alternative to NIE Energy, as their electricity supplier.
Arlene Foster continued: "The announcement by Airtricity is proof that the Single Electricity Market has delivered transparency and increased electricity supply competition for domestic customers, in Northern Ireland.
"Customers will be able to compare electricity costs and levels of service being offered before choosing their electricity supplier," she said.
The Dublin-based company claimed that its entry into the NI market will create 75 jobs, a number that it said will rise as its business grows.
The firm also said it is expected that it will initially undercut prices by about 14% and that the discount is expected to stay in place for at least 12 months and will cut the average household bill from £500 to £430.
A spokesperson for the existing generator NIE said that it recognised a new entrant to the domestic market gave customers more choice.
"We have been preparing for a more competitive environment for some time. Last year we reduced our prices by 15% and we are due to make another pricing announcement within the next few months."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 November 2007
Ireland Unites Electricity Market
An Irish Single Electricity Market [SEM] became a reality at midnight and involved the combination of the two separate wholesale markets North and South into one cross-border market. The new single market is the first cross-border market of its kind in Europe and the regulatory authorities said it was both more efficient and cost-effective.
Ireland Unites Electricity Market
An Irish Single Electricity Market [SEM] became a reality at midnight and involved the combination of the two separate wholesale markets North and South into one cross-border market. The new single market is the first cross-border market of its kind in Europe and the regulatory authorities said it was both more efficient and cost-effective.
09 August 2019
ESB Crews Continuing To Deal With Faults
ESB Networks are continuing to work on repairing and restoring electricity networks damaged by bad weather overnight. According to ESB the number of customers without power has been reduced from some 10,000 to around 4,000 and crews are continuing to deal with faults.
ESB Crews Continuing To Deal With Faults
ESB Networks are continuing to work on repairing and restoring electricity networks damaged by bad weather overnight. According to ESB the number of customers without power has been reduced from some 10,000 to around 4,000 and crews are continuing to deal with faults.
06 March 2008
€200m For Energy-Related Research And Development
Industry and Government are to work together to unlock immense economic and environmental opportunities, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said at Energy Forum 2008 today. Over 400 key players in the energy industry in Ireland, five Ministers and two Ministers of State attended the sustainable energy conference in Dublin.
€200m For Energy-Related Research And Development
Industry and Government are to work together to unlock immense economic and environmental opportunities, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said at Energy Forum 2008 today. Over 400 key players in the energy industry in Ireland, five Ministers and two Ministers of State attended the sustainable energy conference in Dublin.
14 November 2011
High-Powered Dublin Meeting For Gaelectric
Executives from the Northern Ireland renewable energy development and energy technology group, Gaelectric, have met with members of the NI Enterprise Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee to highlight the contribution of the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland to economic development and energy security.
High-Powered Dublin Meeting For Gaelectric
Executives from the Northern Ireland renewable energy development and energy technology group, Gaelectric, have met with members of the NI Enterprise Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee to highlight the contribution of the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland to economic development and energy security.
24 July 2015
Govt And CER Called To Take 'Immediate' Action Over High Electricity Prices
The Government and Commission for Energy Regulation are being called to take "immediate" action over the high electricity prices in Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Energy, Michael Moynihan TD, said the latest Eurostat figures show that Ireland has the third highest electricity prices in Europe.
Govt And CER Called To Take 'Immediate' Action Over High Electricity Prices
The Government and Commission for Energy Regulation are being called to take "immediate" action over the high electricity prices in Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Energy, Michael Moynihan TD, said the latest Eurostat figures show that Ireland has the third highest electricity prices in Europe.