Smart card for energy users

ENERGY users will be able to use a smart card to pay their bills in post offices and shops nationwide under a new initiative.

The small wallet-sized SmarterEnergy card will be rolled out for Airtricity customers next week, allowing them to top up payments on their bills with little fuss. Bill payers will be able to manage their gas and electricity costs with the new card, regardless of their bank direct debit set ups.

There will be no need to present a paper bill when making a payment, and the new service will cost consumers nothing.

Company managing director Stephen Wheeler said customers could walk into shops and post offices and pay anything from €5 to a few hundred euro off their bills with the card.

The personalised payment card, the first of its kind, will be posted to Airtricity’s 330,000 clients from next week and was welcomed by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday.

His department is putting pressure on utility providers to refrain from cutting off debt-ridden customers.