- Every big supplier has raised prices in 2026. The latest rises came from SSE Airtricity (5 October), Bord Gáis Energy (9 October) and Energia (12 October).
- Electric Ireland and PrepayPower say they will freeze prices over the winter, but both put prices up earlier in 2026.
- Suppliers must give at least 30 days’ notice of a price rise (CRU).
- Switching is free at the end of a contract. You get a 14-day cooling-off period, or 30 days for some online and phone contracts.
- You can be “debt flagged” when you switch if you owe €225 or more that is over 60 days overdue.
- Bonkers.ie estimates that switching both gas and electricity can save about €500 to €600 a year.
If you are wondering how to switch electricity or gas supplier in Ireland this winter, now is a good time to look. A wave of price rises this autumn has pushed many households onto higher standard rates. Switching can usually be done online in a few minutes. This guide covers every 2026 price change and when it took effect, the rules set by the regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), and a step-by-step guide to switching.
Electricity and gas price changes in 2026: who raised what, and when
| Supplier | Effective date | Electricity | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrepayPower | 1 June 2026 | +8.8% (about €168 a year) | +10.6% (about €171 a year) |
| Electric Ireland | 1 July 2026 | +8% (about €138 a year) | +7.7% (about €117 a year) |
| Flogas | July 2026 | +10.9% | +11.8% |
| SSE Airtricity | 5 October 2026 | +8.9% (about €172 a year) | +9.3% (almost €139 a year) |
| Bord Gáis Energy | 9 October 2026 | +8.8% (about €14.75 a month) | +9.3% (about €11.67 a month) |
| Energia | 12 October 2026 | +4.73% (about €87 a year) | +9.38% (about €143 a year) |
Typical-bill figures as reported by each supplier or by TheJournal.ie, The Irish Times, RTÉ and Bonkers.ie, based on CRU benchmark use of 4,200kWh of electricity and 11,000kWh of gas a year. Bord Gáis Energy gives monthly figures. Its dual fuel bill rises 9.1%, or about €26.42 a month. Energia’s dual fuel bill rises about €230 a year.
Some tariffs rose much faster than the headline figures. Energia’s night rate (11pm to 8am) went up 28% and its EV Smart Drive charging rate went up 30%, RTÉ reported. Bord Gáis Energy’s Smart Dynamic base unit rate rose 13.7%. TheJournal.ie reported that a Pinergy night rate had risen by 82%. Discounts have also been cut back. According to Bonkers.ie’s price-change calendar, Electric Ireland reduced its new-customer discounts and welcome credits on 14 September, Flogas cut its gas discounts to 10% on 9 October, and Yuno Energy ended new-customer cashback on 15 October.
There is some good news. TheJournal.ie reported on 13 October that PrepayPower and Electric Ireland have both promised winter price freezes, although neither gave an end date. Because many customers are now on higher standard rates, introductory deals from rival suppliers can be worth comparing. Bonkers.ie lists offers launched in October, such as SSE Airtricity’s 25% discount with €55 cashback and Yuno’s €70 dual fuel cashback. Offers change often, so check the current terms.
Your switching rights: the CRU rules
- Price-rise notice: suppliers must give at least 30 days’ notice of a tariff increase. Bord Gáis Energy’s notice also gave fixed-contract customers a 30-day window, from 9 September, to end their contract.
- No switching charge at the end of a contract: the CRU says you pay nothing to switch once your contract ends. If you leave a fixed contract early, you may be charged an exit fee. TheJournal.ie, citing Bonkers.ie, says this can be up to €100 per fuel.
- Cooling-off: you have 14 days to cancel a new contract without penalty. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 this rises to 30 days for some distance (online or phone) and off-premises (doorstep) contracts.
- Debt flagging: under CRU guidelines, your current supplier can flag you to the new one if you owe €225 or more that is more than 60 days overdue. A flag can only go on the fuel that has the debt. Renters cannot be flagged over a previous tenant’s debt. If the new supplier then decides not to go ahead, it must tell you in writing, according to Bonkers.ie.
- Retention offers: under the CRU’s new winter measures, suppliers must publish the retention offers and discounts available to existing customers. That means you can ask your current supplier to match a rival’s deal.
How to switch electricity or gas supplier: step by step
- Find your latest bill. You need your MPRN (electricity) or GPRN (gas) from the top of the front page, your annual usage, your tariff and the date your contract ends.
- Ask your current supplier first. The CRU advises asking whether they have a cheaper plan or a discount for existing customers.
- Compare. Use a CRU-approved comparison site. TheJournal.ie lists four: Bonkers.ie, Switcher.ie, PowerToSwitch.ie and EnergySwitch.ie. Compare the unit rate, the standing charge, how long any discount lasts, exit fees and payment options. If you have a smart meter, check whether a time-of-use tariff suits when you use most electricity.
- Sign up. Contact the new supplier directly or through the comparison site. Tell them if someone in your home is a vulnerable customer, so they can add you to their priority register.
- Give a meter reading on switch day so your final and first bills are accurate.
- Wait out the cooling-off period. After that the switch goes through ESB Networks’ meter registration system. Bonkers.ie says it usually takes 5 to 10 days and occasionally up to four weeks. You will get a welcome letter from the new supplier and a final bill from the old one.
Bonkers.ie estimates that switching both fuels can save about €500 to €600 a year. Daragh Cassidy of the site told TheJournal.ie that some households could save up to €800. Your saving depends on your usage and current tariff. For the bigger picture on what homes are paying, read our guide to Irish household bills in 2026.
If you are struggling with bills this winter
On 12 October the CRU set out extra winter protections for 2026/27. Repayment plans must reflect what you can afford, upfront payments are optional, and you must get at least 18 months to clear arrears. Prepay customers can have no more than 15% of a top-up taken for old debt. Emergency credit rises from €10 to €20. The €200 charge for moving from a gas pay-as-you-go meter to a credit meter stays suspended. Suppliers must promote their vulnerable customer register by 4 December 2026. The five-month disconnection moratorium continues for special services customers, and critical services customers are fully protected. Budget 2027 did not include an energy credit, but Fuel Allowance rises to €43 a week. See our Budget 2027 guide. If you use oil, see our report on heating oil prices.
What happens next
Bonkers.ie’s Daragh Cassidy told The Irish Times in September that wholesale electricity costs over the previous six months were about 30% higher than in the six months before. Whether prices ease in 2027 will depend on wholesale gas markets. Suppliers that freeze prices for winter could review them in spring. Any rise must come with 30 days’ notice, which gives you time to compare and switch. We will update the price table when new changes are announced.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to switch electricity supplier in Ireland?
Usually 5 to 10 days once you sign up, and occasionally up to four weeks, according to Bonkers.ie.
Can I switch energy supplier if I owe money?
Often, yes. But if you owe €225 or more that is over 60 days overdue, your current supplier can debt flag you, and the new supplier may refuse the switch.
Is there a fee to switch electricity supplier?
Not at the end of a contract. Leaving a fixed contract early can cost up to €100 per fuel.
Which electricity suppliers have increased prices in 2026?
PrepayPower (June), Electric Ireland (July), Flogas (July), SSE Airtricity (5 October), Bord Gáis Energy (9 October) and Energia (12 October), along with Pinergy changes.
Can I switch if I am renting?
Yes, if the bill is in your name. A renter cannot be debt flagged over a previous tenant’s arrears. Bonkers.ie’s switching form asks renters for their landlord’s details.
Can I cancel after switching?
Yes. You have a 14-day cooling-off period, or 30 days for some contracts agreed online, by phone or at the door.
Sources
- CRU: Switch Energy Supplier (accessed 1 November 2026)
- CRU: Additional winter protections to help households (12 October 2026)
- SSE Airtricity: When is debt flagging applied (accessed 1 November 2026)
- Bord Gáis Energy: Price change information (accessed 1 November 2026)
- The Irish Times: SSE Airtricity to hike prices by close to 10% (4 September 2026)
- TheJournal.ie: SSE Airtricity price hike announced (September 2026)
- RTÉ: Energia latest to increase gas and electricity prices (11 September 2026)
- TheJournal.ie: Electric Ireland to raise prices (28 May 2026)
- TheJournal.ie: Second energy provider announces winter price freeze (13 October 2026)
- TheJournal.ie: Energy supplier switching advice (30 May 2026)
- Bonkers.ie: Price change calendar (accessed 1 November 2026)
- Bonkers.ie: How to switch gas and electricity supplier (undated guide, accessed 1 November 2026)
Featured image: photo by Henning Wiekhorst on Unsplash.
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