ESB connection charge rises 200 euro

CONSUMERS are paying an extra 200 euro to connect a new house to the national electricity grid, it has emerged.

The ESB has hiked the charge for a standard electricity connection by more than 21% which puts the cost of connecting a new house to the grid at 1,128 euro. The same service in May cost 928 euro.

Chairman of the Consumers' Association of Ireland Michael Kilcoyne described the increase as "outrageous" and warned it was going to further contribute to inflation pressures.