Gas supplier Firmus Energy has announced a 56.3% price rise across both its networks across the North of Ireland.
The eye-watering increase will affect about 62,000 customers in the Ten Towns area and 47,000 in Greater Belfast.
It is understood to be the biggest increase of any supplier in the North of Ireland to date and will take effect from 3 October.
The Ten Towns area includes Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Craigavon and Newry.
There the rise means the annual gas bill of a typical household will rise by about £847 per year, customers with a prepaid meter will see their typical costs increase by around £806 per year.
In the Greater Belfast area the typical annual bill will rise by about £855, while those with a prepaid meter sill see costs rise by about £843 a year.
The Consumer Council said the increase was shocking.
“We are facing into a very serious crisis this winter and we are angry and fearful on behalf of Northern Ireland consumers.” said Raymond Gormley.
“Until recent times, a household’s typical annual bill was lower than the amount of this increase.
“Once this price rise takes place on 3 October, consumer bills will be around four times the norm.”
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