SSE Airtricity Gas NI Limited - Energy Bill Relief Scheme FAQs'

Energy Bill Relief Scheme FAQs'

Government Supports for Non- Domestic Customers

The UK Government has introduced a range of supports for non-domestic energy customers starting this winter.

Energy Bill Relief Scheme

The support discount applied will be in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) and your savings will be based on how much energy you use.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if I am eligible for the scheme?

All business customers and contract types are eligible to receive these supports where:

• You’re on an existing fixed priced contract issued on or after 1 December 2021
• You’re an existing customer signing a new fixed price contract
• You’re on a variable tariff contract
• You’re on a flexible tariff contract where the energy purchase can be fixed
• You’re signing up to SSE Airtricity as a new customer. Your discount will depend on when your contract is issued.

For more information on eligibility criteria for this scheme please click here.

How will I receive this support?

The support discounts will automatically apply to eligible customer bills.

When will I see this support apply to my bill?

Non-Domestic energy customers will have the support discount (Energy Bill Relief Scheme) applied to their bills from 1 November 2022.

How are the rates calculated?

The rates applicable to your contract are dependent on the contract type and when your contract was issued. For more information on how these rates are calculated, please click here.

What is the Government Supported Price?

The Government Supported Price is a baseline wholesale price set by the Government. This Government Supported Price sets the price floor for the EBRS scheme. This means that the effective retail unit price for a customer’s gas and electricity does not fall below the Government Supported price for each utility once the support discounts have been applied.

How often will my discount per kWh change?

The government will publish a review into the operation of the scheme in early 2023, to inform decisions on future support after March 2023. The review will focus in particular on identifying the most vulnerable non-domestic customers and how the government will continue assisting them with energy costs. These are likely to be those who are least able to adjust, for example by reducing energy usage or increasing energy efficiency.

I have Electricity and Gas supply at my Business. Am I entitled to a discount on both utilities?

The discount per kWh is set separately for gas and electricity. Eligible customers will receive discounts on both utilities.

Where can I find more information about the scheme?

For more information on how the Government is supporting non-Domestic customers click here.

What rate will I be charged when the scheme ends?

The scheme will be in place for an initial six-month period. When the scheme ends, you will revert to the SSE Airtricity rate applicable to your contract at that time.

Does the EBRS guarantee that SSE Airtricity variable rate will not increase during this 6-month period? 

While we don’t know what energy markets will do in the future, we will continue to keep a close eye on all our costs. The EBRS doesn’t protect suppliers against increases in the wholesale market and therefore does not guarantee that prices will not fluctuate based on market activity. However, customers will benefit from up to the maximum support discount as set by the UK Government.

I run a business from my home. What Scheme am I entitled to?

Eligible businesses will receive Government support through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS). Domestic customers will receive Government support through the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG). (Link to EPG AGNI FAQ page on SSE Site once created)

Frequently Asked Questions: General

I need to speak about my electricity account

If you wish to speak with our electricity department, please call our Customer Service Team on 0345 601 9093 or through webchat. We’re here to help Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. In addition, our webchat service is also available on weekends and bank holidays, 10am to 6pm.

How can I ensure that I am billed accurately?

To ensure your bill reflects actual consumption, please ensure the meter reader gets access to read your meter and undertake a gas safety inspection.

Can I submit a meter read?

If you would like to submit a meter read, you can do so here.

I currently pay by Direct Debit Budget Plan; do I need to do anything?

There’s no need for you to do anything at this stage your Direct Debit is now due to be reviewed in line with the Energy Price Guarantee introduced by the government from 1 November 2022 in Northern Ireland. You will receive a letter outlining any change to your monthly payment amount, which will be reviewed in line with the rate discount to reflect the EPG government schemes.

If I have credit on my account and would like a refund?

Your Direct Debit Budget Plan will be reviewed to reflect your estimated consumption and the changes in tariff. Any credit already built up on your account will be included within the Direct Debit calculation. Should you request a refund of your credit balance, your direct debit will be recalculated which will mean your monthly amount will be increased.

I cannot afford to pay for the gas I need, what supports are available?

If you have any concerns about paying your energy bills, please contact us as soon as possible so together we can come to an arrangement that allows you to manage your bills.

There are multiple ways to pay, including using a prepayment meter. If you would like to discuss your options, just contact us and we can find the most appropriate way for you. Full details of all our payment options are available on our website here.

Customers who choose to pay by our monthly Direct Debit Budget Plan, to spread the cost of their usage over the year, will continue to receive a £22.05 discount. You can call us on 0345 900 5253 or email us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss. 

You can make a significant difference to the amount of natural gas you use and save money in the process by following useful hints and tips which we provide via our website or over the phone with our Customer Service Team. We also have helpful Energy Efficiency advice available in our Code of Practice on Efficient Use of Gas.

 Independent support or advice, what is available?

If you would like some free, independent local support, you may find it helpful to contact Advice NI, who provide a range of free money advice services. You can contact them by calling 0800 915 4604, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm or emailing [email protected]. For more information visit adviceni.net.

Do you expect other suppliers to follow suit?

We cannot comment on other suppliers’ plans in the respective Network Areas. Our focus is on continuing to do everything we can to ensure we consistently deliver value to our customers and provide an outstanding service.

Is my contract right impacted by this change?

If you’re not happy with these changes in tariff, you have the right to terminate your agreement with SSE Airtricity in line with our Terms and Conditions. Our full Terms and Conditions can be viewed at here.

See the CCNI Price Comparison Table for current comparison on gas rates in your area.

How can I help reduce my energy costs in my home?

You can make a significant difference to the amount of natural gas you use and save money in the process by following useful hints and tips which are available on our website or over the phone with our Customer Service Team. We also have helpful Energy Efficiency advice available in our Code of Practice on Efficient Use of Gas.

To request a copy of our Codes of Practice or if you would like any advice or support in relation to reducing your gas consumption, call us on 0345 900 5253 or email [email protected]

Independent Energy Efficiency Advice

For more information and independent support on how you can use gas efficiently, contact NI Energy Advice on 0800 111 4455 or visit their website here.

Do you have any discounts on your tariffs?

Customers who choose to pay by our monthly Direct Debit Budget Plan, to spread the cost of their usage over the year, will continue to receive a £22.05 discount.

There are no discounts on Quarterly Credit or PAYG.

What are you doing to reward the loyalty of existing customers?

At SSE Airtricity, as well as providing the best possible value and service, we always want to go that extra mile for our customers.

For instance, customers who sign up to SSE Reward get access to a range of exclusive customer benefits at The SSE Arena, Belfast, including exclusive access to the SSE Reward Lounge, up to 48-hour advance tickets, discounts on the best hotels and restaurants as well as exciting competitions and promotions.

The question I have isn’t here? 

If you have a question that is not covered here, please visit our Help Centre or contact us by email at [email protected] or by calling us on 0345 900 5253. We’re here to help Monday - Thursday 08:30 -18:00 and Friday 08:30 -16:30.

If the expected energy supplied to your business under your contract is greater than 0.5GWh over 12 months from 1 October 2022 or exceeds 0.5MW at any time during your contract period, the level of support provided may be impacted. You must contact us if any of the following apply to you:

• You have financial arrangements in place, otherwise than in your supply contract, to limit exposure to wholesale prices (e.g. financial instruments, balancing services, energy export arrangements).
• You use gas supplied under your supply contract to generate electricity that is delivered onto the grid.
• You store electricity supplied under your supply contract that is delivered to the grid.
• You make energy under your supply contract available to an end user at premises outside of Northern Ireland.

 The scheme is in place to provide relief on energy bills. The government will be monitoring to ensure that no supplier or end customer abuses the scheme and may reduce support or introduce penalties if it is found that suppliers or consumers are profiting from them scheme