Household energy bills to rise by over €300 per year - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

HUNDREDS of thousands of householders are facing a €300 hike in their annual energy bills, the Irish Independent has learned.

Bord Gais will this week announce it is pushing up the cost of its electricity by between 10pc and 14pc.

And in further pain for its residential customers, the energy supplier is also seeking permission to increase its gas prices by up to 28pc. This will mean an increase of €120 on the average family annual electricity bill and €200 on the annual gas bill.

Consumer watchdogs last night condemned the move to raise electricity prices, accusing the semi-state company of "hoodwinking" customers into switching from rival suppliers.

Hundreds of thousands of consumers changed over to Bord Gais for their electricity supply over the past two years after a high-profile advertising campaign urged householders to "make the big switch" on the promise of paying lower prices.

The hike in electricity prices will add around €120 to the average annual bill of €1,000 for a family. The higher price is to take effect in October.

Bord Gais has also asked the energy regulator for permission to push up its gas prices by up to 28pc.

An increase of this size would result in the annual average bill of €737 for a family going up by around €200 to close to €1,000. The company has more than half a million gas customers.

Looks like anyone who 'made the big switch' will be screwed in the coming months. Worst part - you had to sign up for a 12-24 month deal when you made the switch, so all of those people who were taken can't back out. I for one think this is a bit shady and something that should be looked into sure.

Privatization and "deregulation" are always a scam, that makes a very few very very rich, and the great many poorer.

Originally Posted by CptSternn

Looks like anyone who 'made the big switch' will be screwed in the coming months. Worst part - you had to sign up for a 12-24 month deal when you made the switch, so all of those people who were taken can't back out. I for one think this is a bit shady and something that should be looked into sure.

But in the two year deal aren't they supposed to keep the price the same as when you singed on? That is the way it is with Electric Ireland. Bigger fool those who signed on for two years.

Originally Posted by CptSternn

Household energy bills to rise by over €300 per year - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie


Looks like anyone who 'made the big switch' will be screwed in the coming months. Worst part - you had to sign up for a 12-24 month deal when you made the switch, so all of those people who were taken can't back out. I for one think this is a bit shady and something that should be looked into sure.

there is no scam. the lower prices were locked in for a period. there's a thread in env. already.

There's a thread here: Bord Gais electricity prices going up