Cheapest Electricity in Ireland
There is no single "cheapest" electricity supplier in Ireland. The best deal depends on how much you use, where you live, whether you pay by direct debit, and which discounts you qualify for. This page compares the headline unit rate, standing charge and the estimated annual bill for a typical home (4,200 kWh/year) across every supplier, so you can see who is actually cheapest for a household like yours.
Last verified 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
The cheapest electricity supplier in Ireland changes constantly because of switching discounts (often 20 to 40% off in year one). To find the genuinely cheapest deal, compare the discounted unit rate and standing charge for your usage, and remember the headline rate reverts to standard pricing after 12 months. Solar households should also factor in the Clean Export Guarantee rate. A slightly higher unit rate can be worth it if the export rate is much better.
Electricity Price Comparison: Every Irish Supplier
Estimated annual bill is unit rate × 4,200 kWh + standing charge, inclusive of 9% VAT, on each supplier's typical new-customer discounted plan for a standard 24-hour urban meter. Discounts last 12 months before reverting to the supplier's standard rate, which is typically 20 to 40% higher.
| # | Supplier | Unit Rate | Standing Charge | Est. Annual Bill | CEG Export Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuno Energy | 31.33 c/kWh | €201.12/year | €1517 | 15.89 c/kWh |
| 2 | SSE Airtricity | 30.85 c/kWh | €242.07/year | €1538 | 19.50 c/kWh |
| 3 | Flogas | 31.72 c/kWh | €252.65/year | €1585 | 18.50 c/kWh |
| 4 | Energia | 33.01 c/kWh | €265.01/year | €1651 | 18.50 c/kWh |
| 5 | Bord Gáis Energy | 34.01 c/kWh | €244.76/year | €1673 | 18.50 c/kWh |
| 6 | Electric Ireland | 34.08 c/kWh | €250.77/year | €1682 | 19.50 c/kWh |
| 7 | EcoPower | 35.53 c/kWh | €277.40/year | €1770 | 15.20 c/kWh |
| 8 | Pinergy | 46.62 c/kWh | €260.06/year | €2218 | 25.0 c/kWh |
| 9 | PrePayPower | 49.09 c/kWh | €315.25/year | €2377 | 15.89 c/kWh |
The CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) does not set retail electricity prices. Suppliers price competitively. Use the regulator's accredited comparison tools alongside this page when you are ready to switch.
How to Actually Find the Cheapest Electricity for You
- Find your annual usage in kWh. It is on any recent bill, or in your ESB Networks online account. A typical urban home uses about 4,200 kWh/year; rural homes and homes with electric heating or an EV use far more.
- Compare the discounted rate, not the standard rate. Most suppliers offer 20 to 40% off for new customers in year one. That discount is what makes one supplier cheapest, but it expires after 12 months.
- Check the standing charge. Low-usage homes are hit hardest by a high standing charge (€250–€400/year is typical). A cheap unit rate with a high standing charge can still lose to a higher rate with a low standing charge.
- Match the tariff to your usage pattern. If you have a smart meter, a day/night/peak tariff can be cheaper if you shift usage to night hours; if not, a flat 24-hour rate is simpler.
- Set a reminder to switch again in 11 months. The cheapest deal in Ireland is almost always "whoever is currently giving the biggest new-customer discount". Switching annually is the single biggest lever on your bill.
If You Have Solar Panels, "Cheapest" Means Something Different
For a solar household, the unit (import) rate matters less, because you are buying less electricity from the grid. What matters more is the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) rate, the price your supplier pays for the surplus you export. The gap between the highest and lowest CEG rate in Ireland is nearly 10 c/kWh, which on a typical system is worth €150–€350 a year. A supplier with a slightly higher unit rate but a much higher export rate can be the cheaper overall choice once you net the two off.
See our electricity provider comparison for solar owners and our microgeneration guide for the full picture.
Cheapest Electricity in Ireland: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the cheapest electricity supplier in Ireland right now?
There is no permanent answer. It depends on the new-customer discounts in market at any given time and on your usage. The cheapest first-year deal is usually the supplier offering the biggest discount (often 20 to 40% off). Always compare the discounted unit rate plus standing charge for your own kWh usage before switching.
Why does the cheapest deal keep changing?
Irish suppliers compete on new-customer discounts that last 12 months. Whoever is most aggressive on that discount tends to be cheapest for switchers, and that changes month to month. After the discount period, your rate reverts to standard pricing, which is why switching annually saves the most.
Is it worth switching electricity supplier every year?
Usually yes. The discount difference between a year-one switcher rate and a standard out-of-contract rate is often €200 to €500 a year for a typical home. Switching takes 2 to 14 days, you don't lose power, and there's normally no exit fee on standard plans.
Does the cheapest unit rate mean the cheapest bill?
Not necessarily. Your bill is unit rate × usage + standing charge + VAT. A low unit rate paired with a high standing charge can cost more than a higher rate with a low standing charge, especially for low-usage homes. Always compare the estimated total annual cost.
Do solar panels change which supplier is cheapest?
Yes. With solar you import less, so the unit rate matters less and the Clean Export Guarantee rate matters more. A supplier with a modest unit rate but a high export rate can be the cheapest overall for a solar home. Compare both figures together.
Where can I officially compare electricity prices in Ireland?
The CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) accredits independent price-comparison websites. Use one of those alongside this page. They reflect live discounted rates, which we do not republish here because they change too often to keep accurate.
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: 6 May 2026. Import rates last verified: 2026-05-13. New-customer discount rates change often, so confirm live prices on the supplier's own site before switching.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder 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.
Cut Your Bill at the Source: Add Solar
Switching supplier shaves a bit off your bill. Generating your own electricity shaves a lot more. Get free quotes from SEAI-registered installers in your area.