The Competition Commission has stood by its initial decision to impose a tough price control on NIE.
The firm which had robustly contested the Commission's proposals has said it will accept the judgment.
The move means that the 20% to 25% of household power bills which goes to cover network costs is effectively frozen until 2017
It does not imply that overall electricity charges will not go up. The wholesale price of gas and coal burnt at power stations is a bigger determinant of what consumers pay.
Nevertheless the outcome of what has been a long running saga is likely to be welcomed by homes and businesses alike.
