Best Electricity Rates in Ireland
An Irish electricity bill has three moving parts: the unit rate (cents per kWh you use), the standing charge (a fixed daily fee, regardless of usage), and, if you have solar panels, the Clean Export Guarantee rate (what you're paid for surplus you export). The "best" rate balances all three for your usage. Here's how every supplier compares.
Last verified 12 September 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
The best electricity rate in Ireland depends on your usage and on which new-customer discount is biggest at the time you switch (discounts of 20 to 40% typically run for 12 months). Low-usage homes should prioritise a low standing charge; high-usage homes a low unit rate. Solar homes should weigh the Clean Export Guarantee rate too. SSE Airtricity pays the highest standard export rate at 19.50 c/kWh.
The unit rates and standing charges below reflect each supplier's typical new-customer discounted plan for a standard 24-hour urban meter, inclusive of 9% VAT. Discounts run for 12 months before reverting to the supplier's standard rate. Verified 2026-09-12.
Electricity Unit Rates Compared
The unit rate is the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) you consume, inclusive of VAT. It is the biggest lever for high-usage homes. New-customer discounts (not shown here, because they change constantly) typically knock 20–40% off the standard rate for 12 months.
| # | Supplier | Standard Unit Rate (24hr) | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SSE Airtricity | 28.79 c/kWhrises to 31.50 c/kWh, €280.01/yr standing from 5 Oct 2026 | View |
| 2 | Energia | 29.85 c/kWhrises to 30.45 c/kWh, €278.27/yr standing from 12 Oct 2026 | View |
| 3 | Bord Gáis Energy | 30.78 c/kWhrises to 33.58 c/kWh, €262.38/yr standing from 9 Oct 2026 | View |
| 4 | Electric Ireland | 31.95 c/kWh | View |
| 5 | Yuno Energy | 34.85 c/kWh | View |
| 6 | EcoPower | 35.50 c/kWh | View |
| 7 | Pinergy | 37.59 c/kWh | View |
| 8 | PrePayPower | 37.62 c/kWh | View |
| 9 | Community Power | 37.88 c/kWh | View |
| 10 | Flogas | 44.00 c/kWh | View |
Electricity Standing Charges Compared
The standing charge is a fixed annual fee (typically €250–€400) you pay regardless of how much electricity you use. It is the biggest lever for low-usage homes: a holiday home or a small flat can pay more in standing charges than in actual electricity.
| # | Supplier | Standing Charge (urban, 24hr) | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuno Energy | €219.22/year | View |
| 2 | Bord Gáis Energy | €244.76/year | View |
| 3 | Electric Ireland | €250.77/year | View |
| 4 | SSE Airtricity | €263.86/year | View |
| 5 | Energia | €265.01/year | View |
| 6 | Pinergy | €283.47/year | View |
| 7 | Community Power | €302.01/year | View |
| 8 | EcoPower | €302.37/year | View |
| 9 | Flogas | €305.68/year | View |
| 10 | PrePayPower | €342.69/year | View |
Electricity Export Rates (Clean Export Guarantee) Compared
If you have solar panels, this is the rate your supplier pays you for surplus electricity you export to the grid. Rates are inclusive of VAT and apply to the standard residential Clean Export Guarantee tariff. The gap between the highest and lowest is nearly 10 c/kWh.
| # | Supplier | CEG Export Rate | Payment Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit |
| 2 | Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle |
| 3 | Pinergy | 18.50 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit |
| 4 | Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) |
| 5 | Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit |
| 6 | Flogas | 18.50 c/kWh | Every 2 months |
| 7 | Yuno Energy | 17.16 c/kWh | Twice yearly |
| 8 | PrePayPower | 15.89 c/kWh | Twice yearly |
| 9 | EcoPower | 15.20 c/kWh | Quarterly |
Full detail on each supplier's export terms, caps and conditions is in our electricity providers for solar comparison.
Supplier profiles
Irish Electricity Price Changes 2026
Every announced change we have verified on the supplier's own site, newest first, with the date it takes effect. The rates on this page were last verified on 12 Sep 2026 and show the current price until each change lands.
- Energia
Electricity and gas prices rise by up to 9.4%. The new-customer 24-hour rate we track goes from 29.85c to 30.45c/kWh and the urban standing charge from €265.01 to €278.27. source
- Bord Gáis Energy
Electricity rises around 9% (typical bill +8.8%). New-customer 24-hour rate 30.78c to 33.58c/kWh; urban standing charge €244.76 to €262.38. source
- SSE Airtricity
Electricity rises around 9%. Top Discount 24-hour rate 28.79c to 31.50c/kWh; urban standing charge €263.86 to €280.01. source
- All suppliers
CRU-approved 2026/27 network charges add about €41.25 a year (€3.44 a month) to a typical domestic electricity bill after the regulator trimmed network revenue allowances by €138 million. Every supplier passes these charges through. source
- All suppliers
PSO levy cut by 66% for the 2026/27 levy year, to €0.51 a month for domestic customers (€6.12 a year ex-VAT, €6.67 inc VAT, down from €19.10). It is charged by every supplier, so it lowers every bill by the same amount. source
- Pinergy
Pinergy says a typical bill rises 7.6%. The 24-hour standard rate goes from 41.77c to 45.80c/kWh (up 9.6% on the unit rate) with the standing charge unchanged. The pay-as-you-go plan we track is priced at 10% off that standard rate. source
- Pinergy
Clean Export Guarantee cut from 25c to 18.5c/kWh, and the EV night rate rose from 5.99c to 10.89c/kWh. source
- Flogas
Electricity and gas rates increased. The standard 24-hour rate is now 44.00c/kWh and Flogas lists no new-customer discount plan; the 28% loyalty discount is for existing customers only. source
- Electric Ireland
Residential electricity up 8% and gas up 7.7%, the first Electric Ireland rise since October 2022, affecting about 1.1 million electricity customers. The EnergySaver 24-hour new-customer rate we track is 31.95c/kWh after the change. source
- Yuno Energy
Electricity up 9.5% and gas up 11%. The Clean Export Guarantee rate rose from 15.89c to 17.16c/kWh (31.32c on the PV Generation partnership tier). source
Full details of each rise, with before-and-after rates, are on the electricity price increases page. The underlying market is tracked daily on the wholesale electricity prices page. No universal energy credit is planned for Budget 2027 on 6 October: see what support exists instead.
Best Electricity Rates in Ireland: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good electricity unit rate in Ireland?
It moves with wholesale energy prices, so 'good' is relative. The real win is the new-customer discount: most suppliers knock 20–40% off the standard unit rate for the first 12 months. Compare the discounted rate for your usage, not the headline standard rate.
What is the standing charge on electricity?
A fixed annual fee (typically €250–€400) that covers the cost of being connected to the grid, regardless of how much electricity you use. It's higher for rural (Band 2) supply than urban (Band 1) supply. Low-usage homes should prioritise a low standing charge.
Is a low unit rate or a low standing charge better?
Depends on your usage. High-usage homes (electric heating, EV, large household) save more from a low unit rate. Low-usage homes (small flat, holiday home, well-insulated home) save more from a low standing charge. Compare the estimated total annual cost for your kWh figure.
What's the best electricity export rate in Ireland?
SSE Airtricity currently pays the highest standard Clean Export Guarantee rate at 19.50 c/kWh. Pinergy previously led at 25 c/kWh but cut its rate to 18.5 c/kWh on 1 August 2026. SSE Airtricity has a higher tier (~32 c/kWh year one) but it's restricted to customers of its partner installer programme.
Why don't you list live electricity rates here?
Standard unit rates and standing charges change frequently, and the discounted rates that actually matter for switchers change even more often. We re-verify standard rates quarterly and point you to CRU-accredited comparison tools for live figures. The Clean Export Guarantee rates we do publish are verified and updated quarterly.
Do day/night and smart tariffs offer better rates?
They can, if your usage matches the cheap window. A day/night meter or smart tariff gives a lower night rate (and sometimes a higher peak rate). Worth it if you can shift big loads (EV charging, immersion heater, washing) to off-peak hours; not worth it if your usage is spread evenly through the day.
Sources
- Pinergy: pinergy.ie
- SSE Airtricity: sseairtricity.com
- Electric Ireland: electricireland.ie
- Bord Gáis Energy: bordgaisenergy.ie
- Energia: energia.ie
- Flogas: flogas.ie
- Yuno Energy: yunoenergy.ie
- PrePayPower: prepaypower.ie
- EcoPower: ecopower.ie
- Community Power: communitypower.ie
- CRU price comparison accreditation: cru.ie
CEG export rates last verified: 12 September 2026. Import rates last verified: 2026-09-12.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the editor of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.
Related Guides
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Best Supplier for Solar
Clean Export Guarantee rates from every supplier, ranked.
Export Payments
Sell surplus electricity at 15–32c/kWh.
The Best Rate of All Is the One You Generate
No supplier rate beats free. Solar panels cut what you import and earn export credits on the surplus. Get free quotes from SEAI-registered installers in your area.