Cheapest Electricity Supplier in Ireland (Live Rankings)
From SmartSaver.ie, Ireland's independent comparison site. Prices and rates in this guide are checked daily.
Live rankings of Ireland's cheapest electricity suppliers, updated daily from supplier websites. Compare estimated annual bills and find your best deal.
By SmartSaver Team | Published 1 January 2026 | Updated 8 July 2026 | 7 min read
Topics: cheapest electricity ireland, cheapest electricity supplier, best electricity deal ireland, cheapest energy ireland
Prices and rates on this page update automatically from provider websites, checked daily. Correct as of 4 August 2026.
Looking for the cheapest electricity in Ireland? Prices change frequently as suppliers adjust rates and offers. This guide shows you the current cheapest options and helps you find the best deal for your usage level.
Cheapest Electricity Suppliers Right Now
Based on an average household usage of 4,200 kWh per year on a standard 24-hour urban meter:
| Supplier | Plan | Est. Annual Cost | Discount | 100% Green |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energia | Smart Data | €1382/yr | 27% | Yes |
| Electric Ireland | Home Electric + SST Saver 20% | €1403/yr | 20% | No |
| Electric Ireland | Home Electric SST Saver 20% | €1403/yr | 20% | No |
| SSE Airtricity | Smart Day/Night/Peak Electricity | €1409/yr | 30% | Yes |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Welcome Back Smart Standard Plus Electricity Discount | €1412/yr | 33% | Yes |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Welcome Back Smart Standard Electricity Discount | €1412/yr | 33% | Yes |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Welcome Back Smart All Day Electricity Discount | €1434/yr | 33% | Yes |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Welcome Back Electricity Discount | €1435/yr | 33% | Yes |
Live data from SmartSaver.ie, checked daily. Prices correct as of 2026-08-04. Full comparison: https://www.smartsaver.ie/energy
Estimated annual bills include discounts, standing charges, PSO levy, and VAT, based on current new-customer rates scraped daily from supplier websites. The cheapest electricity plan right now is €1382/year (Energia, Smart Data). Households on default standard tariffs typically pay hundreds more than the cheapest deal. Switching is usually worth €200-€300 a year.Current Best Deals by Usage Level
The cheapest supplier varies depending on how much electricity you use. Rankings shift with usage, so run the comparison tool with your own kWh figure for a personalised ranking.
Low Usage (2,500 kWh/year)
Typical for: Single person, apartment, minimal heating
Average Usage (4,200 kWh/year)
Typical for: Couple or small family, average house
High Usage (6,000 kWh/year)
Typical for: Large family, electric heating, home office
Very High Usage (8,000 kWh/year)
Typical for: Large house, electric heating, EV charging
What Makes the Cheapest Supplier Cheapest?
The current cheapest plan is €1382/year (Energia, Smart Data) (see the live table above). The supplier at the top of the ranking usually gets there through some combination of:
Competitive unit rates: lower per-kWh charges than competitors Sign-up discounts and cashback: applied over the first 12 months Smart-meter pricing: time-of-use plans are often the cheapest on paper, so check the meter requirement before switchingBeing cheapest today doesn't guarantee they'll be cheapest next month. Suppliers adjust prices regularly, which is why the table above updates automatically from our daily scrape rather than being written once and left to go stale.
Important Considerations Beyond Price
The cheapest supplier isn't always the best choice for everyone:
Contract Terms
Check the contract length (usually 12 months) and exit fees (typically €50). If you need flexibility, consider whether the savings justify being locked in.
Price Guarantees
Some suppliers offer fixed-rate plans that protect against price increases. Variable rate plans (most common) can change at any time.
Customer Service
The cheapest supplier may have less responsive customer service. Check reviews if service quality matters to you.
Smart Meter Requirements
Some of the best deals require a smart meter. If you don't have one, you may not qualify for the lowest rates.
Annual Price Adjustments
Many suppliers include clauses allowing them to increase prices annually (often CPI + 3%). This affects your costs in Year 2 and beyond.
How to Find Your Cheapest Option
The cheapest supplier for your specific situation depends on your usage and circumstances. Here's how to find it:
Step 1: Find Your Usage
Check your last 12 months of electricity bills and add up the kWh used. Alternatively, if you have a smart meter, check your ESB Networks account for your annual usage.
Step 2: Check Your Meter Type
Are you on:
- Standard 24-hour meter?
- Day/night meter?
- Smart meter?
Different meters qualify for different tariffs.
Step 3: Compare Prices
Use our comparison tool to see prices based on your actual usage. Enter your MPRN or address and upload your smart meter data for the most accurate comparison.
Step 4: Consider Total Value
Look beyond the headline figure. Consider:
- How discounts are applied (upfront vs over time)
- What happens after Year 1
- Any hidden terms
Cheapest Electricity by Meter Type
Standard 24-Hour Meter
Most deals are priced for standard meters. The rankings above apply.
Day/Night Meter
If you have a day/night meter, suppliers with lower night rates offer better value, especially if you use a lot of electricity at night (storage heaters, EV charging).
| Supplier | Night Rate | Day Rate | |----------|------------|----------| | SSE Airtricity | ~18c/kWh | ~31c/kWh | | Bord Gáis Energy | ~19c/kWh | ~32c/kWh | | Electric Ireland | ~20c/kWh | ~34c/kWh |
Smart Meter
Smart meter tariffs often offer the lowest rates, particularly for night usage. If you have a smart meter, check smart-specific plans from:
- Yuno Energy
- SSE Airtricity
- Electric Ireland
- Bord Gáis Energy
What About Dual Fuel?
If you use both electricity and gas, bundling with one supplier can offer additional savings:
| Supplier | Best Dual Fuel Deal | |----------|-------------------| | Yuno Energy | ~€2,380/year | | Flogas | ~€2,404/year | | Bord Gáis Energy | ~€2,440/year |
Based on 4,200 kWh electricity + 11,000 kWh gas.However, the cheapest electricity supplier isn't always cheapest for dual fuel. Compare separately if maximising savings is your priority.
Cheapest Prepay Electricity
If you need prepay (pay-as-you-go) electricity, options are more limited and more expensive:
| Supplier | Approximate Annual Cost | |----------|------------------------| | Bord Gáis Energy (prepay) | ~€1,498 | | Pinergy | ~€1,520 | | PrePayPower | ~€1,580 |
Prepay typically costs €100-€200 more per year than bill pay. If you can switch to bill pay, you'll access cheaper rates.
Why Prices Change
Electricity prices in Ireland fluctuate due to:
Wholesale prices: The cost of generating electricity varies with gas prices, renewable output, and demand Promotional offers: Suppliers adjust discounts and cashback to attract customers Competition: When one supplier cuts prices, others may follow Regulatory changes: PSO levy, network charges, and carbon costs affect billsHow Often Should You Switch?
Ideally, every 12 months. New customer deals are almost always better than loyalty rates. When your contract ends, your discount typically expires and you revert to standard pricing.Set a calendar reminder for when your contract ends. Compare prices and switch if there's a better deal available.
Switching to the Cheapest Supplier
The switching process is straightforward:
For a detailed guide, see How to Switch Electricity Supplier.
Summary
Right now the cheapest electricity plan in Ireland is €1382/year (Energia, Smart Data). The live table at the top of this page shows the current top of the market. Prices change regularly, and the cheapest option for you depends on your specific usage.
Key actions:Use our electricity comparison tool to find the cheapest deal for your household.
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Prices and rates on this page update automatically from provider websites, checked daily. Correct as of 4 August 2026.
Always verify current pricing with the supplier before switching.---
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the cheapest electricity supplier in Ireland right now?
The cheapest supplier changes frequently as promotions come and go. Currently, suppliers like Energia, Flogas, and Yuno often offer the best first-year deals. Always compare total annual cost, not just discount percentages.
Is it worth switching electricity supplier in Ireland?
Yes, typically you can save €200-400 per year by switching from a standard tariff to a discounted deal. The switching process is free and takes about 5 minutes online.
Do I need to do anything when switching electricity supplier?
No. Your new supplier handles everything including notifying your old supplier. There's no interruption to service, no engineer visit needed, and no change to your meter or supply.
How often should I switch electricity supplier?
Every 12 months when your contract ends and the discount expires. Set a calendar reminder because suppliers count on customer inertia: prices typically jump 20-30% after year one.
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Ready to Switch?
Use our energy comparison tool to find the best deal for your home. It takes just 2 minutes to compare all suppliers.