Energy prices below the EU average

CONSUMERS might find it hard to believe but Irish households were still paying less than the EU average on energy costs to the end of last year, according to new analysis.

Bord Gáis has already flagged its intention to increase prices, but according to research by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, consumers here paid 15% below the EU average for electricity and 31% less for gas.

Charting the fluctuations in energy prices, the SEAI found there were considerable price drops in the first half of last year, following by increases in the latter half of 2010.