Blow for hard-pressed households as shock hike in electricity and gas bills is confirmed

Thousands of households across Ireland are facing a hike in their electricity and gas bills, it has been confirmed.

SSE Airtricity has announced it will increase its standard variable household electricity and gas prices from April 2.

The price change is in response to rises in external costs including network charges and wholesale energy costs.

This change will see a typical electricity customer’s bill increase by 10.5%, while a typical gas customer’s bill will rise by 8.4%.

The rate per unit of electricity will go up by 12.75% and the gas unit rate by 10.5%. Customers on fixed tariffs will not be affected.

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This will result in an additional €0.47 per day on the average electricity bill and €0.31 per day on the average gas bill. Dual fuel household bills will increase by 9.5% on average, equivalent to around €0.78 per day.

SSE Airtricity has reduced its prices three times since 2022 and took the decision to forego profit in 2023, instead returning funds to customers.

Stephen Gallagher, managing director of SSE Airtricity said: “SSE Airtricity is committed to working with and supporting our customers and increasing prices is always a last resort. We have worked hard over the past few years to shield customers from the full impact of volatile energy costs.

"We’re proud to have led the market in customer support measures throughout the cost of living and energy crises, including the largest customer support package in the market and the foregoing of company profits in 2023 in favour of prioritising customer measures. We have reduced electricity tariffs by 31% and gas by 28% since October 2022.

“We know this news will be disappointing for customers. Network charges increased by around 20% in October 2024 and wholesale costs are 18% higher compared to this time last year. While we shielded customers from the impact of increased networks and other costs for six months, including the winter months, such regulatory charges are outside of our control, and we can no longer absorb these costs.

“As always, we encourage any customer who is concerned about their energy costs to please contact us, and we will work with you to find a solution together.”