The majority of Northern Ireland businesses report no difficulty paying energy bills, study finds
September 2025 - Utilities
The majority of Northern Ireland businesses report no difficulty paying energy bills, study finds: According to a recent survey, eight out of 10 (81%) non-domestic consumers in Northern Ireland report that they never struggle to pay their electricity bills (compared to 69% in 2023), while a similar proportion (80%) say they never struggle to pay their gas bills (up from 73% in 2023).
The third Non-domestic Consumer Insight Tracker Survey from The Utility Regulator surveyed a representative sample of 500 non-domestic consumers in Northern Ireland between November 2024 and March 2025. The aim was to provide a detailed analysis of their experiences related to Northern Ireland’s non-domestic electricity and gas markets. In addition to highlighting that fewer businesses are struggling, the report also shows that, overall, the proportion concerned about their energy bills decreased from 53 percent in 2023 to less than a third (30%) in 2024/25.
Additionally, when asked to rate their satisfaction with their supplier on a scale from 1 to 10, three-fifths (62%) of electricity customers rated them between 8 and 10 (compared to 33% in 2023); while just under two-thirds (65%) of gas customers said they were satisfied with the overall service (vs. 38% in 2023).
According to the survey, although most non-domestic customers appear satisfied with their bills and services, some sectors face more challenges than others. About a third (32%) of businesses in the hospitality sector reported that they sometimes struggle with their electricity bills, and a similar percentage (34%) expressed concern about their energy costs. Community and voluntary sector businesses were the second most affected, with a quarter (25%) reporting they also struggle. More positively, businesses in this sector were also the most likely to have reduced their energy consumption and improved their energy efficiency in response to energy prices (22% and 26%, respectively).
While this research has many positives, the Utility Regulator emphasises various initiatives to assist and protect non-domestic consumers, particularly those who are struggling with their bills.
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