SSE Airtricity will raise its standard variable electricity prices by 9.5% from 20 October, adding around €150 a year to the average household bill. The move marks the supplier’s second increase in 2025, following a 10.5% hike in electricity tariffs and an 8.4% rise in gas prices announced in April.
The combined effect of both increases means that nearly half of the company’s 460,000 electricity customers in Ireland will face a 20% rise in bills over the course of this year alone. Gas customers, however, will not be affected by the October increase.
The company attributed the latest rise to higher network and system operator charges, ongoing wholesale energy volatility, and what it described as “the higher cost of doing business.”
Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said the decision was not taken lightly. “We know this news will be disappointing for customers. Increasing our prices is always a last resort,” he said. Gallagher encouraged households struggling with energy costs to contact the company for support. “We have payment plans, offers and tariffs in place to support customers this winter,” he added, while stressing that regulatory network charges were beyond the supplier’s control.
The increase comes amid a wave of similar announcements across the energy sector. Earlier this month, Bord Gáis Energy, Energia, and Pinergy all raised electricity prices for their customers. Flogas also announced price rises in August. By contrast, Electric Ireland — the state-owned supplier and Ireland’s largest energy provider — said it will not raise electricity tariffs ahead of the winter, while also cutting gas prices by 4%.
The latest rise is likely to fuel further concern about the cost of living. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers reiterated this week that the government will not introduce a one-off cost-of-living package in the upcoming Budget. Instead, he said, support would be provided through the social protection system to target lower-income families and workers.
“We need to ensure we manage the economy in a sustainable way, and that’s why it’s not possible to have a cost-of-living package again this year,” Chambers said. “I know energy costs are putting many families under real pressure, and it is of concern to everyone across the country.”
Energy analysts have advised consumers to shop around to mitigate the impact of higher bills, as competition among suppliers may help offset costs.
SSE Airtricity is owned by British utility giant SSE, which posted an operating profit of £2.42 billion (€2.78 billion) in the year to March. Its Irish arm reported an operating profit of £94.5 million (€108.5 million) over the same period.