SSE Airtricity and NIE

choyaa

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could explain the differences in these two companies and how exactly they fit into the market? We were discussing this today and nobody really was sure so I hoped someone on hear could clear things up.

Thanks

DesG

Huh?

NIE generate and distribute Electrickery.

SSE Airtricity are one of a few elctrickery retailers.

Maybe you mean the difference between NIE and PowerNI which are the distribution and retail arms of the old combined NIE?

To allow fair competition for electrickery retailers would be the answer to that one.

Bigcammy

As DesG says, NIE are the responsible for the electricity distribution network, getting it from the power sources to your home. SONI (System Operator Northern Ireland) are responsible for the generating of said electricity and the grid that distributes it to NIE. SSE Airtricity, Budget Electric, Power NI and others are responsible for individual customer supply, billing and customer care of their customers.

SSE Airtricity also run a number of windfarms supplying the grid as a separate part of their business.

jenheiffer

Airtricity, for some odd reason, now also do the billing for Phoenix Gas.

darwin-rover

jenheiffer wrote: »

Airtricity, for some odd reason, now also do the billing for Phoenix Gas.

Airtricity bought the supply end of Phoenix over 3 years ago.

purpoise

http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/ is a useful website for most N.I. consumer queries.
However I think you might particularly be looking for this: http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/images/uploads/languages/Switch_on_Electricity_and_Gas_Budget_Energy_Update_May_2015.pdf
If you want to compare costs then this is your boy: http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/filestore/documents/Electricty_Price_Comparsion_Table_5_June_2015.pdf

As far as I know Power NI is the only one you can opt out of at any time. (I'm locked in to an SSE contract till December.) Don't quote me!!!