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 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 2024 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 40% of households in Northern Ireland were in fuel poverty.

Every winter 290 people die in Northern Ireland due to cold homes.

40%*

of households are fuel poor

70%*

of households have already cut down on their central heating

27%*

of households have gone without heating (oil/gas) or electricity on at least one occasion in the last 24 months

11%*

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

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.
We respond to Consultations 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 discuss issues around fuel poverty and energy. NEA NI chairs the Fuel Poverty Coalition Northern Ireland which 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

Our training courses cover key areas such as assisting households with fuel poverty, fuel debt, and practical energy efficiency advice. Many of our learners across Northern Ireland 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.