Kilkenny householders hit with electricity hikes as Winter price freeze ends

MANY Kilkenny householders are facing electricity price hikes from the beginning of next month.

Electric Ireland confirmed the rise in prices as it ended a winter price freeze.

The supplier had promised not to raise prices up to February.

Now its one million-plus customers will see the prices of gas and electricity increase by 4% each, which will add around €35 a year to the average householder’s electricity bill.

It is the second hike from Electric Ireland in just over six months. The two rises will see households paying an additional €80 over a year.

Seven suppliers have now raised their prices in the past few months.

The move comes just weeks after Bord Gáis Energy announced it will increase its prices from March 10.

Electric Ireland, which is the largest supplier of electricity in the market, blamed a surge in wholesale gas costs for the higher charges for householders.