Energy hike misery
Airtricity set to increase prices for the second time this year
mirror.co.uk/ mustsee SSE Airtricity is to hit consumers with another price rise starting next month, it was revealed yesterday.
The firm announced it is set to raise electricity and gas costs by 6.3% and 6.9% respectively from December 3.
The hike will see SSE Airtricity customer’s average annual electricity bill increase by €61.36 and €52.52.
This is the second time this year the supplier has increased prices as gas went up by 12.3% and electricity rose by 6.4% in July. These hikes added €140 to the average annual dual fuel energy bill.
The company claimed the latest hike is a direct result of increasing wholesale energy costs of energy. It said in a statement: “Continued increases in wholesale fuel costs have seen the price of gas rise by a further 17% over the last five months, having increased by over 20% in the 12 months prior.
Spokesman David Manning added: “We’ve done everything we can to minimise the impact of this market volatility on our customers and we’re committed to passing on any future savings as soon as we can.”
Three other energy suppliers – Flogas, Panda Power and Pinergy – also announced price rises in recent weeks and comparison website Switcher.ie warned others are likely to follow.
Spokesman Eoin Clarke said: “As we have seen many times before once one energy supplier increases their prices the others quickly follow suit.
“This is understandably a frustrating and worrying time for consumers, particularly with winter on its way when people’s energy usage peaks. “The latest price hike from SSE Airtricity, the second this year, is a bitter pill to swallow for customers, with the average annual bill set to go up by €113.88 just weeks before Christmas. “Consumers shouldn’t pay more than they have to, which is why we’re urging them to switch to a more affordable deal.”
percent is how much Airtricity’s electricity costs will increase by
percent is how much Airtricity’s gas costs are set to increase by