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Wed, 22 Apr 2026

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 Northern Ireland energy prices 'could stay high into winter'

NI Affairs Committee told even if conflict ends immediately it will take time for supply chains to return to normal.

* Household energy prices will remain high until autumn or winter if the Iran crisis continues for another 4-6 weeks.
* Wholesale energy prices have increased by 19% since the start of the crisis, but have not yet been passed through to consumers.
* The £100 oil heating grant announced by the NI Executive is considered "woefully inadequate" and will not provide sufficient support to households.
* Fuel prices have risen by more than 24%, affecting logistics companies and households.
* Energy supply chains are expected to take 4-6 weeks to return to normal even if the conflict ends immediately.
* The Utility Regulator has warned that cuts in gas prices may be reversed if the crisis continues.
* Higher wholesale prices have not yet been passed through to consumers, but energy companies will struggle to "hedge" their prices as the crisis continues.