This is madness, The wholesale electricity rate in Ireland in 2019 (via the Single Electricity Market (SEM) covering the island of Ireland) averaged around €50 per MWh. This equates to about 5.0 cents per kWh (or €0.05/kWh)

The average wholesale price for January 2026 was approximately €126.96 per MWh, equivalent to 12.70 cents per kWh (c/kWh). Electric Ireland unit rate is 34.75 cents per kWh which is effectively 173.62% mark up. Remember Electric Ireland is a billing platform they do not maintain the network. The annual standing charge for a typical urban 24-hour tariff is approximately €251 including VAT this goes towards the network ESB. Even at that price increases are blamed on Increased demand (e.g., from data centers, and economic growth). The CRU has approved higher revenues for ESB Networks and EirGrid to cover grid maintenance, resilience (e.g., winter preparedness), renewable integration (including offshore wind), and rising demand from data centres, EVs, heat pumps, and new housing. This led to an average increase of about €29 per year (€2.41 per month) on typical domestic bills from October 1, 2025. Baseline: €13.8 billion over five years to upgrade the grid for 300,000 new homes, public transport electrification, offshore wind connections, and overall resilience. Potential maximum: Up to €18.9 billion if targets are met. This adds about €1 per month (pre-VAT) initially for the baseline (most already applied via the October 2025 network review). This Could rise to €1.75 per month (or up to €21 per year) if full spending occurs.

Keira Connolly

J.K. Lunden

@Jklunden

·

Feb 25

My electric bill was €525 last month (for a two month bill). I don’t have electric heat and have two wood burning fires. Ireland pays the highest electricity prices in Europe – and we pay double what data centres pay.