CSO data reveals the counties with the highest electricity bills

The Central Statistics Office released a new report that shows that the median annual electricity bill in Ireland was €880 last year – 3% lower than in 2022. But in 2 counties, the median bill was over €1,000.

58% of households in Ireland paid less than €1,000 for their electricity in 2023, compared to 56% in 2022 and 35% in 2021, the CSO report shows.

The lowest electricity bills were found mostly along the west coast, while the counties with the highest bills were mostly in the east and southeast.

The highest median electricity bills in 2023 were in Kildare (€1,020), Meath (€1,011), and Wicklow (€976).

The third and fourth highest bills were in Carlow and Laois, with median costs of €951 and €950 respectively.

The lowest bills were in Donegal (€726), Leitrim (€753), and Mayo (€799). In Roscommon, the median bill was €813 and it was €830 in Kerry.

Other findings include more than a quarter of homes in Kildare with a BER certificate using electricity as their main space heating fuel, compared with just 15% in Donegal.

Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie offered some practical advice for homeowners looking to pay less for their electricity over the coming months.

“There are some simple ways that people can lower their electricity bills, and it is a good idea to switch providers regularly to get the best deal,” said Briain Kelly.

“The second is to monitor your consumption and see whether a different plan might work for you. For instance, if you have an EV and don’t consume much electricity during the day, then a night boost plan with very low overnight rates might suit you.”

“Simple habit changes can also save you a fortune – things like taking shorter showers, closing doors behind you, and using more energy-efficient appliances,” said Kelly, “home energy upgrades can slash your annual bills by hundreds of euros. These upgrades include door replacements, triple glazing windows, better insulation and solar panels.”