Britain’s regulator proposed a price cap on default energy bills to save households about a £1bn (€1.1bn) a year and aims to implement it in time for winter following a UK government promise to tackle “rip-off” prices.

Smart meters are to be installed in more than two million homes and businesses as part of a €1.2bn ‘once-in-a-generation’ rollout.

The trend for gas and electricity customers to seek better deals by switching provider has eased, with more now looking to reduce their bills by negotiating with their existing provider.

Irish consumers top the European table when it comes to switching electricity and gas providers, as energy prices fell last year.

Bord Gáis Energy accounted for the largest number of customer complaints investigated by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) last year, despite having a smaller market share than Electric Ireland.

Gas Networks Ireland engaged in a “clear breach of trust” when it covered up the overrun on a pipeline project, the independent energy regulator has said.

Households struggling with energy bills have been told that switching supplier is the best way to force energy companies to slash prices.