National Energy Action Northern Ireland

We are the national fuel poverty charity, working to ensure that everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is warm and safe at home. 

Fuel poverty in Northern Ireland

National Energy Action Northern Ireland (NEA NI) is based in Belfast and is led by Director of NEA NI Pat Austin.

Fuel poverty is devastating no matter where you live in the UK. However, the way fuel poverty is measured differs depending on which UK nation you live in and so too does the help and support you could receive. Northern Ireland differs from the rest of the UK in that it is part of a different energy market, shared with the Republic of Ireland, and the majority of homes (63%) use oil heating.

How is fuel poverty defined in Northern Ireland

A household in Northern Ireland is regarded as being in fuel poverty if it is required to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel.

The most recent official figure for fuel poverty in Northern Ireland was measured by the 2016 House Condition Survey and sets the rate at 22%. However, in September 2025 National Energy Action commissioned market research company LucidTalk to undertake a Northern Ireland-wide representative poll to evaluate the impacts of rising energy prices on households. This poll found that 39% of households in Northern Ireland were in fuel poverty.

The seasonal increase in mortality for winter 2023/24 was estimated to be 740.

39%*

of households are fuel poor

50%*

of households have already cut down on their central heating

20%*

of households have gone without heating or electricity on at least one occasion in the last 24 months

10%*

of households say they are currently in debt, or have been in debt in the last 24 months, to their energy supplier

A woman holding a toddler at a window. She is checking if her radiator emits any heat.

Together, with members and partners in Northern Ireland, we:

Advocate to improve the support available for fuel poor households

We work with the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, members of Stormont, and others. In June 2024, we published a Manifesto for Warm Homes 2024 for the General Elections, asking parties and candidates to commit to three key actions at Westminster to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.
In October 2025, we published Fact Sheets for for each of Northern Ireland’s 11 Local Government Districts.

We respond to Consultations, such as the Department for Communities’ Consultation on a new Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland, and commission an annual LucidTalk Poll to measure the extent of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.

We also publish a newsletter and send it to our stakeholders by email. If you are a NEA NI stakeholder, and want to be added to our mailing list for information and our newsletter, please click here.

Convene and provide platforms for experts and policymakers to come together

We do not work alone. Partnerships and collaboration have been at our heart for over 40 years, helping us drive better health and wellbeing outcomes.

In Northern Ireland, we chair the Fuel Poverty Coalition Northern Ireland and act as the secretariat to the All-Party Group on Fuel Poverty.

The Fuel Poverty Coalition NI coordinates a strategy event at least once a year. The Coalition Steering group meets more often – approximately every other month.

Established in 2010, the Fuel Poverty Coalition Northern Ireland of 160 members brings together a breadth of organisations and individuals across the voluntary, statutory, business and private sectors. All are united by the fact that they wish to highlight the urgent action needed to eradicate fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.

If you want to be added to the Fuel Poverty Coalition mailing list, please click here.

Provide training and national qualifications to individuals and organisations looking to provide energy advice

We deliver accredited training to improve standards in energy advice across Northern Ireland. Our training courses cover key areas such as assisting households with fuel poverty, fuel debt, and practical energy efficiency advice. Many of our learners work in front-line advice and support roles, where they interact with vulnerable people.

To find out more about our courses and webinars, please go to our Northern Ireland Training Page.

Work with partners to help support low-income and vulnerable households in need

Including via our Belfast Warm and Well Project, which aims to help local people struggling to keep their homes warm, by offering advice and practical support to stay warm and well.

We also give talks to community groups and have information stalls at community events.

Our Energy Advice leaflets, specifically tailored to Northern Ireland, provide information and advice on how to keep your home warm, healthy and safe.