Time to shop around as a fourth supplier freezes energy prices for winter
ENERGIA has become the fourth energy firm to freeze its prices ahead of the winter, after it announced the move yesterday.
The company also confirmed that none of its 200,000 domestic customers will be disconnected during the six-week Covid-19 lockdown.
Energy companies usually raise prices in time for winter when demand is highest – but Energia is the fourth to commit to not raising them this year, following in the footsteps of SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis Energy and Flogas.
Electric Ireland kept its gas prices stable, but it did recently raise electricity prices by 3.4%.
A spokesman for Energia said: ‘We have frozen residential gas and electricity prices into next year, making sure customers won’t need to worry about any potential i ncreases during the colder weather throughout autumn and winter. The price f reeze will continue until at least the end of January 2021.’
Energia supplies about a quarter of Ireland’s total electricity requirements and 21% of the country’s total wind power, meeting the energy needs of more than 58,000 business customers as well as 200,000 homes.
The spokesman continued: ‘We fully understand the pressures that many people will be under at this time so we’re delighted to freeze our prices, meaning any increases in energy costs won’t be passed on to our customers.
‘ We know t hat f or s ome customers, the current circumstances may present particular challenges. As we always have done, we’ll continue to work with any customers who may be in arrears on an i ndividual and entirely sensitive basis.’
He added: ‘People can be assured disconnection is always a last r esort f or Energia and we encourage customers in difficulty to engage with our dedicated customer care team.’
Daragh Cassidy, of utility switching website Bonkers.ie, said: ‘The news that Energia and SSE Airtricity have agreed to freeze their prices for the upcoming winter months should be of comfort to consumers, especially as we move into that time of the year when energy demand i n the home usually skyrockets.
‘Four suppliers have now agreed to a complete freeze on their prices after similar announcements from Bord Gáis Energy and Flogas in September.’
He added that while it’s good news that some suppliers aren’t going to raise their prices over the coming months, ‘my advice to energy customers this winter is to switch supplier to ensure you’re on the very best deal’.
He continued: ‘And at a time when energy usage in the home has probably never been higher due to more of us working and socializing at home due to lockdown, it’s really important people ensure they’re not overpaying for their gas and electricity.
‘The good news is that there are now 13 residential energy suppliers in Ireland so there has never been more competition among suppliers for new customers. And many of the suppliers offer discounts of over 30% to people who are prepared to switch to them.
‘This means someone who’s currently paying standard rates could save €490 over one year on their energy bills if they were to switch.
‘It’s genuinely quick and easy to switch and it can all be done online i n the space of a f ew minutes on Bonkers.ie.’
‘It’s genuinely quick and easy to switch’