How electricity pricing works in Ireland
Your electricity bill is made up of three main components: the unit rate (charged per kWh of electricity you use), the standing charge (a fixed daily cost regardless of how much you use), and the PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy — a government charge applied to all customers.
The unit rate is where the biggest differences between providers appear. As of 2026, standard unit rates range from approximately 27c to 34c per kWh depending on the provider and tariff. Standing charges typically add €250–€320 per year on top.
Introductory discounts: what to watch for
Most Irish electricity providers offer new customer discounts of 15–25% off standard rates for the first 12 months. These are genuine savings — but they expire.
When the discount period ends, you roll onto the standard tariff, which is typically more expensive than the discounted rate you were paying. This is when most households start overpaying without realising it.
The main electricity providers in Ireland
There are six main electricity suppliers competing for residential customers in Ireland. Each varies on unit rates, standing charges, new customer discounts, and the quality of their switching journey.
- Electric Ireland — the state-owned incumbent and largest provider. Competitive on standard rates but not always the cheapest for new customers.
- Bord Gáis Energy — consistently competitive, particularly for dual fuel (electricity + gas) households.
- Energia — frequently offers strong new customer discounts and is available across most of Ireland.
- SSE Airtricity — part of the SSE Group, strong rural presence, offers green electricity tariffs.
- Flogas — newer to the residential electricity market, can offer competitive rates for the right household.
- Prepay Power — for customers on prepay meters, a specialist alternative to the main suppliers.
What does 'cheapest' actually mean?
The cheapest provider is the one that results in the lowest total annual bill for your household — not the one with the highest headline discount percentage.
A provider offering 20% off a high base rate may cost more than one offering 10% off a lower base rate. You need to compare estimated annual costs using your actual usage, not just the headline figure.
For a typical 3-bedroom house in Ireland using around 4,200 kWh per year, the difference between the most and least competitive electricity tariff in 2026 can be €200–€380 per year.
How to find the cheapest electricity provider for you
- Know your usage — check your most recent bill for your annual kWh figure, or use an estimate based on your home size and type.
- Compare annual costs, not discounts. What will you actually pay over 12 months including unit rates and standing charges?
- Factor in the standing charge. A low unit rate paired with a high standing charge can cost more overall for low-usage households.
- Check the contract terms. When does the introductory discount expire? Is there an exit fee on a fixed-rate plan?
- Switch before your current contract renews. Switching on a standard variable tariff carries no penalty for most customers.
See your potential saving
Find out if you are overpaying
Sortd compares your current energy tariff against the full Irish market and shows you exactly how much you could save — based on your actual usage.
What about night rate and EV tariffs?
If you have a night storage heater, an EV, or a smart meter, a day/night tariff (also called a 24-hour or Economy tariff) may offer additional savings beyond a standard rate comparison.
Night rates are significantly lower than day rates — typically 12–17c per kWh versus 28–34c for daytime. If you run high-draw appliances overnight, this can meaningfully reduce your annual bill.
Not all providers offer competitive night rates. When comparing, check both the day and night unit rates separately if this applies to you.
Summary: how to get the best electricity deal in 2026
- Check when your current discount expires — most last 12 months.
- Compare providers on estimated annual cost, not headline discount.
- Consider a day/night tariff if you have an EV, storage heater, or smart meter.
- Switch before you roll onto the standard rate — it only takes about 10 minutes.