A number of energy providers have announced plans to increases gas and electricity prices within the month. SSE Airtricity, Electric Ireland and Energia are the latest energy provide to announce their increase in gas and electricity prices.
SSE Airtricity have announced plans to increase its standard gas and electricity unit prices by 24% and 32.3 % next month. the price increases are being introduced due to the record highs in wholesale energy costs impacting the countries across Europe. This current global crisis between Russia and Ukraine has also put stress on the energy situation as Putin controls much of the European gas supply.
SSE Airtricity released a statement instructing the changes will result in an addition €6.50 per week or €338 per year on the average electricity bill and €6.40 per week or €333 a year on the average gas bill.
Electric Ireland announced the price increases will hit customers as they rise electricity prices by 35% and gas prices by 25% adding on average €300 and €220 annually to their consumers electric and gas bills. Energia have also signalled it will be increasing energy prices by 15% from April 25th.
Speaking on behalf of SSE Airtricity Klair Neenan says he is aware the price increase will be disappointing and unwelcomed news for their customers. “Throughout winter, we have worked hard to limit the local impact of the global energy crisis by absorbing record high wholesale energy costs, hoping to see pressure on prices ease. Sadly, this has not been the case and energy prices continue to demonstrate sharp volatility and upward pressure. Regrettably, this must now be reflected in our prices”- Klair Neenan.
SSE Airtricity have set in place a number of customers supports aimed to help those who are under increased financial pressure. This included additional €1 million to provide direct support to customers in difficulty.
Speaking about this latest round of announcements, Owen Power, Managing Director of Enerpower said that “ making the change to renewable energy such as solar PV will help business combat the additional costs being put in place by main stream energy companies. Enerpower are seeing a surge in businesses looking to make that move to renewable technology to try and avoid the volatility of the energy market”
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