ELECTRICITY users in Northern Ireland are facing an average price rise of 2.3 per cent from next month.

The increase would have been much higher but for a £15 million sterling subsidy from the British government, announced yesterday.

The North's economy minister, Baroness Denton, presented a total subsidy package of £60 million aimed at narrowing the growing gap between electricity prices in Northern Ireland and those in Britain.

The £60 million will be paid over the next three years.

Northern Ireland Electricity chief executive Dr Patrick Haren said the £60 million subsidy should keep price increases below inflation during the three year period. The Consumer Committee for Electricity said prices in the North were 23 per cent higher than anywhere in Britain and 25 per cent more than in the Republic.