ESB Electric Ireland bills to rise by 15%

Electricity bills are to increase by almost 15% from October.

ESB Electric Ireland has confirmed a tariff increase of 14.8%, but has said that in real terms a typical customer's bill will rise by around 12% because of the reduced PSO levy which comes into effect at the same time.

The semi-state is blaming international gas prices which it said have risen by 40% in the past year.

ESB Electric Ireland said it will soon revise its competitive price plan offerings, and will continue to offer its Household Budget Price Plan which helps customers in genuine financial difficulty to avail of a 6% discount on standard electricity rates.