Electricity consumers in the North are facing an 18% increase in charges. The price rise from Power NI will see the average domestic electricity bill increase by £90 a year.
The increase will take effect from July 1 and the price rise will add £1.73 a week to electricity costs for a typical household. It will also make annual bills to £30 more expensive than the rest of the UK.
Last autumn Power NI reduced prices by 14%.
Utility regulator Shane Lynch described the rise as regrettable but said it had been approved after extensive scrutiny. He said customers could help themselves by shopping around for the best deal.
"Northern Ireland consumers have a choice of electricity supplier and I would encourage them to explore the choices available to them,'' he said.
The UK Consumer Council has also criticised the price hike and claimed electricity customers could save up to £161 if they switched supplier.
