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At NIE Networks we take bird fouling very seriously, but unfortunately the problem is outside of our control and no permanent solution exists to counteract it.

Over the years we’ve trialled many devices on our network such as bird distress signals, fake birds of prey, pyrotechnics and the fitting of plastic hairbrush rollers. Time and experience has taught us that no one device is available to us that will work in all situations or will provide a remedy for built-up residential areas.

For example, the use of rollers is restrictive and we only offer them in very limited circumstances, as there are several factors that influence our decision:

• Overhead lines are designed to strict standards and built to withstand many stresses and strains of weather, hot and cold temperatures etc. The addition of rollers can add an extra burden on the line and can cause conductors to fail.
• Rollers have a limited life span, they tend to deteriorate quickly and fall from the line.
• Fitting rollers in residential areas merely moves the issues onto adjacent homes. It is particularly important that we maintain a fair and consistent approach when dealing with bird fouling complaints.
• In rural situations it may be possible to fit bird rollers where this does not impact on other customers. Each case is assessed individually and where it is possible to fit the plastic rollers, the cost of carrying out this work has to be paid by the customer.

You can get in touch with us online to report a problem, ask a question or give us your feedback.

You can report a power cut or another issue here.

You can also contact our customer helpline on 03457 643 643 which is open 24 hours a day to report a loss of electricity supply.

For Home Connections

An electricity supplier buys energy and sells it to customers. It is the company that issues your electricity bill and deals with any queries you have about your bill. Suppliers need a licence from the Utility Regulator to supply electricity to customers in Northern Ireland. This list of suppliers may change. You can also view a list of business suppliers here.

When you enter into a supply agreement with an electricity supplier as a low voltage ( LV ) customer you will also be automatically entering into a Connection Agreement with NIE Networks on the NIE Networks Standard Connection Terms and Conditions for LV Connections.

Please visit the Utility Regulator for more information.

There are several suppliers for domestic customers in Northern Ireland:

SSE Airtricity
0345 601 9093
customerservice@airtricity.com
http://www.sseairtricity.com

Budget Energy Ltd
0800 012 11 77
talkToUS@budgetenergy.co.uk
http://www.budgetenergy.co.uk

Click Energy
0800 1 070732
chat@clickenergyni.com
http://www.clickenergyni.com

Electric Ireland
0345 600 5335
customerservice@electricireland.com
http://www.electricireland.com

Power NI
03457 455 455
home@powerni.co.uk
http://www.powerni.co.uk

 

For Commercial Customers

There are several suppliers for businesses in Northern Ireland:

Budget Energy
0800 012 11 77
talkToUS@budgetenergy.co.uk  

Click Energy
0800 1 070 732
chat@clickenergyni.com

Energia
0345 073 0099
customer.service@energia.ie
 
Electric Ireland
0800 056 9914
info@electricireland.com

Firmus Energy
0800 032 4567

Go Power
028 8676 0600

Power NI
03457 455 455 

SSE Airtricity
0345 864 3546

Naturgy
028 90 436994

3T Power
0333 600 8800
info@3tpower.com

An electricity supplier buys energy and sells it to customers. It is the company that issues your electricity bill and deals with any queries you have about your bill. Suppliers need a licence from the Utility Regulator to supply electricity to customers in Northern Ireland.

This list of suppliers may change. Please visit the Utility Regulator for more information.

If you're moving house it’s important to let your electricity supplier know the exact date and time you move from your current address to your new address. Otherwise you may end up paying for electricity you haven't used.

Here's a list of electricity suppliers of home electricity.

This isn't something that NIE Networks deals with but you can contact your energy supplier directly (who you pay your electricity bills to). See a list of home suppliers using the button below.

Electricity Suppliers

We always work hard to get the power restored as quickly as possible, but sometimes there can be delays which are out of our control. The service we provide follows standards set by the Utility Regulator. These are based on various scenarios that may occur and if we fail to meet these standards customers will be entitled to receive a payment. Our guaranteed standards explain more about these scenarios and the compensation you may be eligible for. 

If you believe that you are entitled to a payment because we have not met one of guaranteed standards, you can make a claim online.

We don't issue bills at NIE Networks. The services we offer include restoring power during a power cut, maintaining the network, reading meters and connecting customers to the network.

If you need to talk to your electricity supplier about your bill, find a list of electricity suppliers using the link below.

Electricity Suppliers

Please visit the Utility Regulator for more information.

TransportNI is responsible for most street lights, traffic signs, bollards, and belisha beacons on public roads and streets across Northern Ireland.

If you find a fault with any of these, you can report online to TransportNI on NIDirect's website.

You can also track progress of a street light fault at NIDirect.

Keypad top ups aren't something we deal with at NIE Networks but here's a list of supplier information about top ups:

• SSE Airtricity
• Budget Energy
• Click Energy
• Electric Ireland
• Power NI
• Open Electric Ltd

A Meter Point Reference Number (or MPRN) is a unique 11 digit number starting with 81 to identify your address that is used by suppliers to check the incoming supply details for individual premises.

You need this number if you wish to change supplier or are getting a first time electricity connection to new premises. The MPRN is unique to individual premises and will never change.  The first two digits are always 81.

You will find your MPRN number on the card left by your meter reader, it can be found on the bill from your electricity supplier or you can call us to get this number on 03457 643 643.

A Meter Point Reference Number (or MPRN) is a unique 11 digit number starting with 81 to identify your address. It's used by electricity suppliers to check the incoming supply details for individual premises.

You will find your MPRN on the card left by your meter reader, it may be found on the bill from your electricity supplier, or you can call us to get this number on 03457 643 643.

Making a complaint is different from making a claim. When you make a complaint it is usually to get answers about what went wrong. You may also want an apology or be told that changes will be made to stop it from happening again.

When you make a claim you believe that you are entitled to a payment because we have not met one of guaranteed standards.

If you're unhappy with our decision you can ask for your complaint to be looked at again by our Managing Director. Please write to:

Managing Director
NIE Networks
120 Malone Road
Belfast, BT9 5HT

We will reply to all complaints received within 10 working days.

If you're unable to have your complaint resolved to your satisfaction, or if at any time you are unhappy with our response, The Consumer Council,  an independent body, may be able to help. Please contact 0800 121 6022 / contact@consumercouncil.org.uk

Alternatively you can write to:
The Consumer Council
Floor 3 Seatem House,
28-32 Alfred Street
Belfast, BT2 8EN

If you are having problems using or topping up your keypad meter, please contact your energy supplier.

Electricity Suppliers

Please get in touch with us if you have no power at all to your keypad meter or you think your meter is faulty.

If your top-up card states NIE energy then your supplier is Power NI [link opens in a new window]. Here's a full list of suppliers.

As part of our network investment plans at Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks), we have started a programme to upgrade electricity meters. One in four meters in Northern Ireland will be replaced by the end of 2017.All meter installers have completed comprehensive training and are fully qualified electricians.

All employees working on behalf of NIE Networks carry identification, wear identifiable uniforms and drive marked vehicles. If you are unsure or would like to ask us a question, please contact us or get in touch by calling our customer helpline on 03457 643 643.

At Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks), we read all electricity meter every three months. We pass these readings on to your electricity supplier and they send you a bill. If you are a pay-as-you-go customer, this information is used to update your account.

Some electricity suppliers will ask you to submit meter readings in between our visits. You can either do this directly with them. We will still call at your home or business even if you do give regular readings to your supplier.