Opposition brands 36% electricity price hike indefensible

THE possibility of electricity prices being raised by 36% next year was yesterday described as outrageous and indefensible by opposition parties.

The warning of dramatic increases in the price charged by ESB and its rivals was signalled in a report issued by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which sets the tariffs for electricity, this week. However, CER described the 36% figure as a "worst-case scenario".

Electricity prices have risen by almost 29% since 2003. Such a steep increase next year would mean that consumers would be paying 65% more for electricity bills in 2006 than they paid in 2003.