We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
BORD GÁIS ENERGY has confirmed it will increase residential electricity prices by 12 per cent from the beginning of next month.
The company said the increase, which it’s believed will add around €120 to the average annual bill, was down to rising energy costs on the world markets. The price hike was widely predicted earlier this week but at the time a Bord Gáis spokesperson insisted the reports were “speculative”.
Company executive Jason Scagell said in a statement the company had done its “utmost” to limit the increase to 12 per cent, saying wholesale electricity costs have risen by more than 20 per cent since the last pricing change in 2009. “We recognise the strain that households are under at the moment,” he said, but added:
The prices paid by Irish customers are intrinsically linked to international wholesale prices and with the markets signaling the prospect of higher winter prices, residential price increases have unfortunately become unavoidable.
Mr Scagell also confirmed that Bord Gáis is seeking approval from the Commission for Energy Regulation to increase residential gas prices from October. He told RTE radio this morning that the increase was likely to be “around the midpoint” between 20 and 30 per cent.
Personal finance expert Simon Moynihan told the Irish Independent it was now “inevitable” that rival energy suppliers Airtricity and ESB would raise their prices in line with Bord Gáis.
Disgraceful and I switched over to Bord Gais from ESB. The usual crap you wait till you get the custom and then put the price back up.
So did I, just some 2 months ago :( going to Airtricity next…
Danny I’d steer clear of Airtricity, they’re not cheaper at all no matter what they say and their customer service is appalling. 4 months of crap I put up with until I switched back to Bord Gais. Sure they’ll all be increasing their prices soon so there’s no getting away from it….
I moved from Airtricity TO Bord Gáis to avail of the 13% discount and now that’s ripped away. Nice, BG, very nice.
Still, remaining there is better than using Airtricity I found a very nasty attitude in my dealings with the latter, a company that I personally will never choose again. Be warned.
Bord Gáis posted pre-tax profits of €120million in May and admitted to paying bonuses to managers last year of €1.9million, it also has around 114,000 customers in arrears of two months or more – an increase of around 300% on last year. That clearly shows the board are focused on profit above all else.
What is the purpose of having a regulator who cannot, or will not, regulate?
Robbers
Why do we have a commission for energy regulator when the banking regulator did such a good job! We have one regulator to defend us who is guaranteed a large pension no matter how bad a job is done against multiple million profit making energy companies. The increase is a total disgrace.
How are the increases intrinsically linked if it means Ireland changes to the third most expensive country in the eu for the supply of electricity after a 12 % increase. Currently ranked 7th according to http://www.energy.eu/
where is the evidence that other counties are increasing their prices also? And is the regulator not aware that we are in a recession as well as being the 3rd most expensive country in eu for supply.
Most important how will this encourage growth amongst business or attract new business to come to our country. All common sense says no increase allowed.
There’s always A Big Hitch….
when you make The Big Switch
There’s always A Big Hitch
when you make The Big Switch….
Thieves without the masks.
have your say