Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today confirmed that around 860,000 households will receive a £63 discount off electricity bills, from 6 October 2026.
The Household Electricity Discount will be applied automatically by electricity suppliers. The Scheme is not means tested or based on consumption and applies to both households that receive electricity bills, and those who use pre-pay/Keypad meters.
Announcing the discount scheme, Minister Archibald said: “This discount will provide some help for families as winter kicks in and energy bills rise.”
Earlier this year, Minister Archibald announced that she had secured agreement from Treasury to deliver annual electricity discounts of around £30 to households for three years, comparable to support being delivered in Britain.
Following the announcement of a temporary six-month VAT reduction on domestic electricity supplies in Britain, the Minister negotiated for additional funding to deliver a combined and enhanced single payment in 2026 worth £63.
The Minister continued: “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.
For more information on the scheme and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the NI Direct website.
Keypad customers
- Customers will receive the £63 credit when they next top-up their meter after 6 October 2026
- Customers will need to top-up before 31 March 2027 to receive the £63 credit
- The maximum vend limit is £175. To receive the discount in one full payment, Keypad customers should not exceed a single top-up value of £112
- Top-ups over £112 will result in the discount being split, with the balance received in later vends up to the maximum £175 limit
- If your bank asks you to approve your top-up payment, please do this straight away. Otherwise, your payment may fail and your £63 HEDS credit may not be available until the next working day
- Power NI Keypad Rewards will only apply to the amount purchased by the customer online or via the app e.g. Top-up £10, no Keypad Reward, plus £63 HEDS credit = £73 credit added to meter. Top-up £50, get £1 free with Keypad Reward, plus £63 HEDS credit = £114 credit added to meter
Bill-pay customers
- Customers will have the £63 credit automatically applied to their electricity account from 6 October 2026
- The credit will appear on bills as ‘NIRO & VAT Govt Credit’
- Customers who pay by monthly Direct Debit: Monthly Direct Debit amounts will not change, as this is a discount applied to the whole bill. If you have an online account, you will see the £63 credit added to your credit balance from 6 October. This will be used against future bills
- Customers who pay by quarterly Direct Debit or no Direct Debit set up: Your £63 credit will be automatically applied to your next bill issued after 6 October, however if you have an online account you will not see your account balance updated until after your new bill has been generated
