There has been a significant increase in wholesale energy prices and pass-through charges, including wires' charges. While we have done our best to absorb these costs, we can no longer do so.

Events such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the political upheaval in the Middle East and longer-term trends such as the fast-increasing energy needs of the Asian economies have all contributed to the rise in wholesale energy prices. As a result, winter wholesale gas prices have increased by 30% year-on-year.

Almost all of Ireland's gas, which is the primary source of electricity generation, is bought on external international markets. We are buying in a global market and so we are increasingly exposed to the turmoil of these markets and have to pay the market rates.

We continue to lead the way on renewable energy generation and supply, and indeed wind has helped reduce the price in the wholesale electricity market that all Suppliers benefit from. Unfortunately, Ireland is still overly dependent on the import of fossil fuels, especially gas, and these drive the overall cost.

The wholesale markets remain volatile and we cannot predict future changes. However, we will continue to monitor wholesale costs and are committed to offering competitive prices to all our customers.

From 1st September, the Airtricity Standard electricity unit rates will increase by 12.3% and from 1st October, the Airtricity Standard gas unit rates will increase by 21.2%. All introductory discounts against these rates are unaffected; however the unit rates will change. We will also continue to offer unit rate discounts to electricity and gas customers whose introductory rates have expired.

From 1st September, our electricity standing charges for all customers will increase by 12.3%. The gas standing charge isn't changing.

The monthly PSO levy will be reduced to €1.83 (incl. VAT) from 1st October.

To find out how the price increase affects your tariff, view our Tariffs page and select the product you signed up for to see the new rates.

Bord Gais will be increasing their gas prices from 1st October. Your discounts won't change and they'll continue to track the regulated Bord Gais Energy standard tariff unit rates until the end of your introductory period. Your standing charges will not change.

No, but providing meter reads at any time helps to ensure your bill is as accurate as possible, that you only pay for the energy you use and you don't build up debt. If we don't have actual meter reads, we will estimate your electricity and/or gas use on the day before the price increase.

Learn more about meter readings

If your billing period spans the price change, you will see two separate lines for each item. The energy used before the price change will be charged at the old price, and the electricity used from 1st September and the gas used from 1st October will be charged at the new price. The electricity standing charges will be prorated across the period.

There are a number of ways you can reduce your energy bills and manage the payments:

• Switch to Direct Debit and eBilling: Make sure you are getting the best discounts by paying by Direct Debit and receiving your bills online.
• Spread your costs: Instead of paying in one lump sum, you can make smaller, regular Top-Up payments using any of our available payment methods. In addition to getting the Direct Debit discount, you have the freedom to pay what you can when you can – you simply pay the balance by direct debit.
• Submit regular meter readings: Providing meter readings helps to ensure your bills are as accurate as possible, you only pay for the energy you use and you don’t build up debt. We can also send you a reminder by email and/or text before your bill is issued.
• Energy Efficiency: There are lots of simple ways to reduce your energy usage and costs.

   

If you are having problems paying your bills, you should contact us straight away. Delaying and allowing debt to build up will only make the problem worse. We can work out a plan for you to pay off your balance in regular amounts you can afford.

We regularly review your account to ensure the amount you pay is correct and reflects both your usage and prices. All future reviews will take the new prices into account. However, if in advance of the review you want to increase your monthly payments, just contact our Customer Service team on 1850 81 22 20.

Not necessarily. Your payments will be reviewed to take into account the new prices and we will always notify you of any changes to your direct debit amount.