Irish households are being warned that more energy price increases could follow this winter, as wholesale electricity and gas costs climb again.
Nearly every major supplier has already raised prices this year, and consumer experts say further rises cannot be ruled out. They point to wholesale costs that remain high because of the conflict in the Middle East, together with higher charges for running and upgrading the electricity network.
Wholesale costs
Irish wholesale electricity prices are trading at around €196 per megawatt hour this month. That is 7.6% higher than the September average of about €182, and the highest level since January 2023. Earlier this autumn, wholesale gas prices were around double what they were a year earlier, and European gas prices had reached levels last seen at the end of 2022. Wholesale electricity costs for the six months to the end of summer were up roughly 30% on the previous six months. Because Ireland relies heavily on imported gas to generate electricity, higher gas prices feed through to bills.
Increases so far this year
Electric Ireland moved first, raising electricity prices by 8% and gas by 7.7% from July 1, its first rise since October 2022. Yuno Energy raised electricity by 9.5% on the same date. Flogas followed with increases of 10.9% on electricity and 11.8% on gas, with some customers facing a bill about €400 higher over a year. Pinergy raised electricity by 7.6% from September 14, adding about €169 a year.
Three more suppliers raised prices in October. SSE Airtricity increased electricity by around 9% from October 5, affecting about 296,000 households. Bord Gáis Energy raised prices from October 9, adding 8.8%, or €177 a year, to a typical electricity bill and 9.3%, or €140, to a typical gas bill. Energia followed on October 12, with a 4.73% rise in electricity, about €87 a year, and its first gas increase since 2022. Energia dual-fuel customers are about €230 a year worse off. Between Bord Gáis and Energia alone, around a million households face higher costs ahead of winter.
Network charges
From October 1, regulator-approved network charges for 2026/27 add about €41.25 a year to a typical household electricity bill, even after the regulator trimmed network revenue allowances by €138 million. The PSO levy was also cut on the same date.
What consumer experts say
Daragh Cassidy of price comparison website bonkers.ie said the increases announced may not look exceptionally high, “but they’re coming on top of energy costs which are already at very high levels.” He said gas prices are around 90% higher than four or five years ago and electricity around 70% higher, so “any further hikes to energy costs, however moderate, will hit many households hard.” Over the summer he also warned that a near-record number of households were behind on their energy bills.
Some protection for customers
Not every supplier has raised prices this winter. Electric Ireland and PrepayPower have both committed to winter price freezes. Under its freeze, PrepayPower’s standard 24-hour urban electricity rate stays at 37.62 cent per kWh and its gas rate at 12.89 cent per kWh, both including VAT.
Government help
Budget 2027 raised the weekly Fuel Allowance by €5, to €43. It also cut the carbon tax on natural gas and kerosene from €63.50 to €48.50 per tonne, which is expected to take about €34 off an average annual gas bill.
What households can do
Bonkers.ie advises customers to compare prices and switch to a cheaper supplier, which it calls the quickest and easiest way to cut energy bills. Suppliers also encourage customers struggling to pay to contact them early about flexible payment arrangements and hardship supports.
