Energy regulator to hold public forum on ESB and gas hikes

THE Commission for Energy Regulation is to hold a public forum on plans to increase gas bills by 4.2% and electricity bills by 5.8% from January 1.

The commission said it had received the submissions for the increases from the ESB and Bord Gáis and was opening the proposals for consultation until November 24, after which it will consider all responses before making its decision.

“In order to assist in forming its position and as part of the consultation process, thecommission has decided this year to hold an open forum on electricity and gas tariffs,” a commission spokesman said.

“ESB and Bord Gáis will deliver presentations on their proposals at this forum.

“The public, as well as industry and customer representatives, are invited to attend and will have the opportunity to offer their views on these proposals.”

The forum will be held in the Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street, Dublin, on November 10, 2008, from 10.00am to 1.30pm. Once the consultation process is completed and the commission has considered all of the points of view, a decision on ESB and Bord Gáis proposals will be published by December 1, 2008.

Bord Gáis wants to increase domestic bills by 4.2% and small business customers’ bills by 2.8%.

ESB proposes 5.8% for domestic customers and 3.9% for businesses.

Yesterday Bord Gáis said: “Wholesale gas prices, while still 50% higher than last year, have fallen from their recent record highs. Because of this, and also the mitigating actions taken by Bord Gáis, the level of the proposed final price increase is significantly less than originally projected.

“Should wholesale gas prices continue to fall over the coming weeks, Bord Gáis will ensure that an updated position can be incorporated into the CER’s final decision, due to be published on December 1 2008.

“Bord Gáis has recommended that the CER considers facilitating further tariff change requests, outside of the annual review, should changes be in customers’ best interests.”