Archibald commits to supporting electricity customers left without power during storms
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today announced her intention to develop stronger protections for electricity customers left without power during severe weather events.
In a Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly, the Minister updated members on the outcome of the Utility Regulator's review of the Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service (GSS) regulations, including consideration of payments for consumers affected by severe weather-related outages.
Following Storm Éowyn in January 2025, more than 285,000 homes and businesses across the region lost electricity supply. Under the current GSS regulations however, payments could not be paid due to a severe weather exemption.
The Utility Regulator has now completed its review and advised is not proposing any changes to the existing severe weather exemption, at this time.
Minister Archibald said:
“While improving the resilience of our electricity network remains the priority, I am setting a clear policy direction today; to remove the severe weather exemption and ensure that customers who experience prolonged power outages as a result of severe weather receive a support payment.
“While I note the Utility Regulator’s decision not to recommend a change to the regulations at this time, Storm Éowyn highlighted the need for stronger protections for customers affected by prolonged power outages.
“I have therefore instructed my officials to bring forward policy proposals to remove the severe weather exemption, while minimising costs for all consumers. Detailed proposals will be brought forward within this mandate.”
The Minister noted that NIE Networks is making significant investment in the electricity network to strengthen resilience, reducing the frequency and duration of power interruptions during severe weather events.
Notes to editors:
- A link to the Written Ministerial Statement can be found: Written Statement on the review of Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service and Overall Standards of Performance - 22 July 2026 | Department for the Economy
- The Utility Regulator’s decision is not to recommend the introduction of a standard for supply restoration in severe weather conditions at this time.
- The Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service (GSS) and Overall Standards of Performance (OSP) regime sets out service standards that electricity consumers can expect and provides for payments where companies fail to meet prescribed standards.
- In January 2025, the region experienced one of the worst storms in its history, Storm Éowyn, with more than 285,000 premises (homes and businesses) losing supply.
- The Minister’s Written Statement on the Utility Regulator's consultation on the Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service was published on 30 July 2025.
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