June 2010 was a landmark month for home electricity customers in Northern Ireland. That was the month when competition was finally introduced here with the entry of SSE Airtricity into Northern Ireland’s domestic electricity market. For the first time ever, householders across the country now had a choice of electricity providers as well as the opportunity to switch their provider and benefit from a range of new market-leading savings.
The delivery of competition by SSE Airtricity has brought real benefits to the NI energy market, the economy and most importantly, the consumer. What we brought to the market for the very first time was ‘consumer choice’ and since 2010, more than 160,000 customers have made the choice to switch their electricity supply to SSE Airtricity.
So, how has this choice benefitted the household purse? We estimate that since our entry into the market, SSE Airtricity has delivered customer savings of around £20 million to more than 160,000 electricity customers. We’re proud to say that our competitive pricing and award winning customer service has underpinned our positive growth in Northern Ireland.
In a little over four years, we have invested over half a billion pounds into the Northern Irish economy and grown to become the second largest energy supplier in the country, with over 20% of the domestic electricity market. We also entered the gas supply market and are the market leading natural gas provider known for giving customers the value and service they want.
Today, as we mark the Consumer Council's Energy Switching Week, we continue to give consumers a positive choice when it comes to their electricity supply. This is highlighted by our current electricity offer – a market-leading 1-year introductory discount of up to 20% off electricity bills that can save individual families up to £100†. In addition to being the cheapest home electricity offer in the market, SSE Airtricity’s new 20% discount is the biggest-ever electricity discount offered to Northern Ireland energy consumers.
What’s more, if Northern Ireland’s 566,505* domestic electricity customers who haven’t yet switched their electricity supplier, switched to SSE Airtricity for our discounted 1 and 2 year products, it would generate consumer savings of almost £60 million over the period – equivalent to about savings over £100 per household.
Now, that’s a great reason for Northern Ireland energy consumers to switch on to energy savings with a new, better-value home electricity provider. To find out more about Northern Ireland’s cheapest home electricity offer why not visit our stand at the Consumer Council's 'Energy Switch and Save' event at Spires Mall in Belfast City Centre on Thursday 23 October from 1pm to 3pm.
† Introductory offer based on 2 year fixed term contract, payment by direct debit and eBilling. Guaranteed discounts against SSE Airtricity Standard electricity unit rates. All domestic electricity prices quoted from 6 October 2014 and are inclusive of VAT. Discounts vary by meter type. Savings and comparisons for SSE Airtricity Home Electricity Saver 24 introductory tariff (Credit Bill/KeyPad) based on prices quoted by suppliers at 6 October 2014 over 1 and 2 years and typical annual consumption of 3,800 kWh (24hr meter) inclusive of levies and VAT. Figures quoted have been rounded to the nearest Pound value. For eligibility criteria, cost comparisons and terms and conditions see SSEAirtricity.com.
* Total Power NI domestic credit and KeyPad customer accounts who have not yet switched supplier, Utility Regulator Quarterly Transparency Report published August 2014.