Farmers shocked as ESB prices power ahead
All electricity users must now pay more, but dairy farmers, who are large users of electricity for refrigeration and other equipment, are calculating that their additional costs for electricity in 2005 will run into thousands of euro.
Farmers are digesting their largest ever increase in the cost of power, after two large price rises appeared on bills issued since the beginning of this year. Ground rent charges have been increased by more than 30%, with PSO levies to cover the cost of producing or purchasing environmentally friendly forms of electricity also increased, by more than 30%. There is an additional 10% price rise for every unit of electricity used.
