NI households to get £63 electricty discount in October

All households in Northern Ireland will receive a £63 discount off electricity bills in October, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has announced.

The household electricity discount will be applied automatically by electricity suppliers.

Around 860,000 households will receive the discount, which is not means-tested or based on consumption, from October 6.

The scheme applies to both bill-paying and pre-pay/keypad customers.

Bill-paying customers will see the discount applied directly to their electricity account and it will appear on their bill as: NIRO & VAT Govt Credit.

Pre-pay/keypad customers will receive the discount automatically at their meter, when they top up.

In June 2026, the Treasury approved £85.4 million of funding for 75% of the domestic cost of the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation (NIRO) over three years.

A further £25.7 million has been secured following negotiation by the minister to provide additional support in 2026/27, equivalent to the temporary six months reduction in VAT on domestic electricity bills being provided in the rest of the UK.

The household electricity discount scheme provides a combined single payment for this year, with total funding estimated to be £53 million.

Ms Archibald said “This discount will provide some help for families as winter kicks in and energy bills rise.”

She added “This £63 discount delivers support to households through a single automatic discount. "

“No forms, no applications and no action is required."

“Some people may feel they don’t need this financial support."

“If so, I would encourage those people to donate to a fuel poverty charity. Your support could make a real difference to someone who needs it most.”

The household electricity discount scheme will continue in 2027 and 2028, with the value of future discounts confirmed ahead of payment.