The Utility Regulator has published its 2026 Non‑domestic Consumer Insight Tracker Survey, providing an insight into the experiences of businesses across Northern Ireland’s electricity and gas markets.
The survey, conducted by Perceptive Insight on behalf of the Utility Regulator, gathered responses from 500 non‑domestic electricity and gas consumers between November and December 2025.
The survey measures consumer engagement, experiences and attitudes in Northern Ireland’s non‑domestic energy retail market. It also identifies the issues affecting this consumer group and monitors how these have changed over time, since the baseline survey began in 2020.
The 2026 survey highlights that fewer non‑domestic consumers are reporting concerns about, and difficulty with, paying their energy bills. However, energy costs remain high compared to pre‑pandemic levels, which may partly explain why a significant proportion of non‑domestic consumers continue to express concern around their bills.
Key findings:
The 2026 survey highlights signs of improvement for non-domestic consumers, alongside ongoing pressures:
- Fewer concerns about energy bills:
The proportion of respondents concerned about their energy bills fell from 30 per cent in 2025 to 22 per cent in 2026.
- Reduced financial strain:
More respondents reported never struggling to pay their energy bills in comparison to 2025 levels, with 90 per cent of electricity consumers and 96 per cent of gas consumers indicating this.
- Greater awareness of choice:
Awareness of market options continues to improve:- 80 per cent of respondents are aware that they can choose between suppliers (up from 74 per cent in 2025).
- 79 per cent are aware that they can choose between tariff types (up from 71 per cent in 2025).
- Improved satisfaction and trust:
Perceptions of suppliers have increased significantly:- Satisfaction rose to 80 per cent for electricity consumers (from 62 per cent in 2025) and 77 per cent for gas consumers (from 65 per cent in 2025).
- Trust in receiving clear information and a fair price increased to 57 per cent (electricity) and 59 per cent (gas), up from 47 per cent and 39 per cent respectively in 2025.
- Likelihood to recommend suppliers rose to 57 per cent (electricity) and 52 per cent (gas), up from 44 per cent and 42 per cent in 2025.
- Limited switching activity:
Most respondents have not changed suppliers in the past five years:- 27 per cent of electricity consumers reported switching (31 per cent in 2025).
- 20 per cent of gas consumers reported switching at least once (17 per cent in 2025).
- The main reason cited for not switching was satisfaction with current suppliers (90 per cent electricity; 85 per cent gas).
Colin Magee, Non-domestic Consumer Protection Manager at the Utility Regulator says, “The findings of this year’s tracker survey are encouraging and suggest that many non-domestic consumers have experienced improved outcomes, expressing increased satisfaction and trust in their suppliers, and lower levels of concern about energy bills.
“At the same time, we recognise that around one in five businesses remain concerned about their energy costs. It is also important to note that this research was undertaken before the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East earlier this year and the associated volatility in wholesale energy markets.
“While the survey provides a snapshot of consumer sentiment at that time, it is important to remember that business experiences and concerns may have evolved since the research was carried out.
“Later this summer, we will also publish qualitative research exploring the experiences of small businesses facing energy-related hardship. Together with the findings published today, the research will help inform our non-domestic consumer protection work programme and priorities over the next few years.
“This will include a consultation later this year on a new Code of Practice to implement additional protections for non-domestic consumers.”
Full results from the 2026 Non‑domestic Consumer Insight Tracker Survey are available on the Utility Regulator’s website: www.uregni.gov.uk