Leitrim councillor comments as SSE Airtricity hikes prices again in same year
Barry - 'I would advise those who are out of contract to shop around when prices are increasing like this; I believe that it leaves an opening there where a person can end their contract and find a cheaper supplier'
A Leitrim councillor has advised customers to "shop around" out after it was revealed this week that SSE Airtricity is set to increase electricity prices by 9.5% adding €150 to their customers' bill having already raised electricity prices by 10.5% and gas prices by 8.4% in April.
These two increases mean that their 460,000 Irish customers will see a 20 per cent increase in their bill versus last year.
Cllr Brendan Barry said that Ireland is one of the most expensive places for electricity supplies already in Europe and a lot of families are finding it very hard to keep up with utility bills. I would advise those who are out of contract to shop around when prices are increasing like this; I believe that it leaves an opening there where a person can end their contract and find a cheaper supplier."
He advised customers to use price comparison sites such as bonkers.ie which can compare gas and electricity, broadband, insurance, banking and personal finance prices.
Cllr Barry said that there are a number of energy suppliers for Irish customers to choose from including Electric Ireland, Pinergy, Flogas, Energia and Bord Gáis Energy. "Sites like bonkers.ie can compare the prices and they will guide you towards the one that is the cheapest for your household's energy needs."
There will be no change for domestic gas customers.
SSE Airtricity said the hike is due to higher network and system operator charges, ongoing wholesale volatility, and rising business costs.
Bord Gáis Energy and Pinergy also both announced price increases for customer this month.
Cllr Barry continued: "I believe that Electric Ireland have said that they are not raising their prices this year. SSE Airtricity claim to be supplying a lot of green energy and that much of it is supplied through wind and solar; it doesn't look good that they are increasing prices so much. You would think that it would cheaper and less reliant on gas and other fuels."