What are energy prices in Ireland in 2026?
As of 2026, standard unit rates for electricity in Ireland range from approximately 27c to 34c per kWh depending on the provider and tariff. Standing charges typically add €250-€320 per year on top of your usage costs.
For a typical 3-bedroom home using around 4,200 kWh per year, total annual electricity costs range from approximately €1,380 to €1,740 depending on which provider and tariff you're on.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive option for the same household can be €300-€380 per year, purely based on which provider you're with and whether you're on an introductory rate.
Why energy prices vary so much between providers
All Irish electricity providers buy from the same national grid. The difference in what you pay comes down to the commercial tariff each provider sets, including their unit rate, standing charge, and any new customer discount applied on top.
New customer discounts of 15-25% are common. These are real savings, but they expire after 12 months. Once they expire, you roll onto the provider's standard variable rate, which is almost always higher.
This is why two households with identical usage can have significantly different bills. One switched recently and is on an introductory rate; the other hasn't switched in two years and is on the standard rate.
How to do an energy price comparison for Ireland
- Find your annual usage in kWh; it's on your most recent bill or can be estimated from your home size.
- Compare estimated annual costs (not headline discount percentages) across the main providers: Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy, Energia, SSE Airtricity, Flogas, and Pinergy.
- Include the standing charge in your comparison. A low unit rate paired with a high standing charge can cost more overall for lower-usage households.
- Check whether you're still within an introductory discount period, and when it expires.
- If you have a smart meter or EV, compare day/night tariffs separately; the night rate difference can add meaningful savings.
What does a good energy deal look like in 2026?
A competitive energy deal in 2026 for a standard household in Ireland looks like this: a unit rate below 29c per kWh with a new customer discount applied, a standing charge below €280 per year, and no exit fee on a variable tariff.
If you're paying a unit rate above 32c per kWh and you're not within the first 12 months of a new contract, you are almost certainly paying more than you need to.
The providers to compare in Ireland
- Electric Ireland, the largest provider, competitive on standard rates but not always the cheapest for new customers.
- Bord Gáis Energy, strong for dual fuel (electricity and gas) households, frequently competitive on combined rates.
- Energia, regularly offers strong new customer discounts, widely available across Ireland.
- SSE Airtricity, solid rural coverage, offers green electricity tariffs.
- Flogas, increasingly competitive for residential customers.
- Pinergy, pay-as-you-go model, useful for households that prefer not to receive large quarterly bills.
When is the best time to compare?
The best time to run an energy price comparison is around 10 months after you last switched, just before your introductory discount expires. At that point you can line up your next deal and switch before you roll onto the higher standard rate.
Outside of a contract expiry, any time you find a deal that reduces your annual cost by €100 or more on a variable tariff is worth acting on. There's no cost to switch and your supply is never interrupted.
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.
How often should you compare energy prices?
Once a year is a reasonable minimum. The market changes: providers adjust their rates, new customer offers come and go, and your own usage may shift.
The households that consistently pay the least on energy are those who switch every 12-18 months, timed to coincide with the expiry of their introductory discount. Sortd tracks this for you so you don't have to remember.