Electric Ireland customers are to see another rise in their gas and electricity prices.
The supplier is increasing the unit price of its electricity by 11.35% and gas by 31.9% from August 1st.
It announced earlier this year that from May 1st, average electricity bills will go up by 23.4%, while gas bills will increase by 24.8%.
The price increase will impact around 1.1 million electricity customers and 145,000 gas customers.
It comes on the same day that Eurostat says inflation in Ireland is estimated to be at 9.6%.
Price comparison site bonkers.ie says this will add around €165 a year to the average customer's electricity bill, and €312 to a gas bill.
Electric Ireland last increased its prices in May, in a move that added around €298 a year to the average customer's electricity bill and €220 to their gas bill.
Daragh Cassidy is head of communications at bonkers.ie
"Today's news was expected unfortunately - and given Electric Ireland's size, it will be felt badly by many households nationwide.
"We’re heading into next winter with gas and electricity prices at absolutely astronomical levels. And it might even get worse."
He believes more price hikes from all other suppliers are likely to follow - while further increases from Electric Ireland can't be ruled out.
"Since October 2020, when prices began to rise, some suppliers have more than doubled their energy prices. We’re in a crisis.
"Despite these increases, Electric Ireland's prices are still among the most competitive - if you could even use that word.
"Despite the rising prices, there is still competition among energy suppliers in Ireland for new customers right now and many are offering big discounts of over 40% for a year to those who switch."
