• International energy crisis directly impacting energy suppliers in Ireland and the EU

• War in Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions have resulted in sustained and unprecedented increases in wholesale energy costs

SSE pledges customer support fund of up to €25m including price promise which gives extra assistance to around 60,000 eligible customers

• SSE Airtricity to contact existing customers in financial difficulty who will benefit from its price promise, protecting them from this increase

26 AUGUST 2022: Due to continued volatility across global energy markets, and ongoing market uncertainty which has impacted energy suppliers across Ireland and Europe, SSE Airtricity has today announced it will increase its standard household gas and electricity prices from 1 October 2022.

This change will see a typical electricity customer’s bill increase by 35.4%^, while a typical customer’s gas bill will see a 39%^ change. This will result in an additional €1.62 per day on the average electricity bill and €1.40 per day on the average gas bill. Dual fuel household bills will increase by 37%^ on average, equivalent to around €3.02 per day.

Recognising the strain many households are feeling, due to the cost of living crisis, SSE Airtricity previously announced a range of supports to help its financially vulnerable customers. These measures total up to €25m including a price promise which will offset this price change for around 60,000 eligible customers. This price promise holds their electricity costs at May 2022 levels until 31 March 2023. SSE Airtricity will contact eligible customers directly through September with the details of the support.

Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity said:

“We know this news will be disappointing for our customers. It was hoped market volatility would ease, but the global energy crisis continues to impact gas and electricity costs for all energy suppliers.

“However, we are acutely aware of the impact this has for households and are working hard to help where we can. This includes our €25m support fund offsetting today’s announced price change for our existing financially vulnerable customers for the winter period. It also includes €1m donation to a national charity partner that provides invaluable assistance to households, regardless of their energy supplier.

“SSE Airtricity has a longstanding commitment to working with our customers. Our customer support fund is aimed at helping customers experiencing financial difficulty through the current cost of living and energy crisis.

“As always, we encourage any customer who is having difficulty with their energy bills to contact us. We will work with them to find a solution together, including flexible payment plans, budget plans, and different payment methods such as pay-as-you-go options.

“While it is difficult to know when wholesale prices will begin to improve, we are committed to reducing our prices as soon as we can.”

The current global climate and energy crises highlights the importance of reducing energy consumption for the long-term with solutions including smart meters, warmer homes through insulation and local electricity through solar panels. SSE Airtricity works with customers to help identify suitable options for homes, provides advice on the grants available and low-cost financing. Customers who wish to speak about becoming more energy efficient or about their energy usage can contact us by visiting sseairtricity.com or calling 0818 81 22 20. Customers are advised to submit meter readings to ensure billing accuracy.

For those who may be in difficulty, independent financial advice is also available from MABS who can be contacted on 0818 07 2000.

^Costs of increases based on a household customer on 24hr Standard credit meter tariffs with a typical annual bill of €2,267 for electricity (consumption of 4,200 kWh) and €1821 for gas (consumption of 11,000 kWh). Figures inclusive of unit rate, standing charge and VAT. Actual cost varies according to meter type, individual tariff and consumption. Costs quoted inclusive of Carbon Tax and PSO Levy. Today's announcement includes:

• 45.2% increase in electricity unit rate and 8% increase in standing charge which equates to 35.4% on the average bill.
• 46.3% increase in gas unit rate and 8% increase in standing charge which equates to 39% on the average bill.