The number that matters
One unit — or one kilowatt-hour (kWh) — of electricity costs around 35 cents in April 2026, including VAT, based on Electric Ireland's standard rates. The average across all suppliers sits slightly higher, at around 36 cents per kWh.
A kilowatt-hour is the standard unit electricity is measured and billed in. Running a standard electric heater for one hour uses roughly 1 kWh. Leaving a laptop charger plugged in for a week uses about 1 kWh. Watching TV for an evening uses around 0.5 kWh.
At 35 cents per unit, every kWh costs you more than it does in most other European countries. In 2024, Ireland had the highest electricity prices in Europe when taxes and credits are excluded, according to researchers at the ESRI. Retail prices have remained elevated into 2026.
Why is Irish electricity so expensive?
The main reason is how Ireland generates its electricity. Gas generates about 40% of Irish electricity, with renewables accounting for most of the rest.
When Ireland uses gas to generate power, it's exposed to the international price of gas — which has been volatile since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and spiked again in early 2026. When gas prices rise globally, Irish electricity bills follow.
The government's energy credits — which gave households money back on bills in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — were not renewed in Budget 2026, removing a buffer that had kept retail prices lower for households.
Network charges — the cost of maintaining Ireland's electricity grid — also increased by around €101 per household in 2026, adding to bills regardless of which supplier you're with.
What does a student's electricity bill actually look like?
The standard calculation for an average Irish household is 4,200 kWh of electricity per year — that's a 3–4 bedroom home with a family. A student house is typically smaller, with fewer appliances running at once, and students are often out during the day. A realistic usage figure for a 3-bed student house might be around 2,500–3,000 kWh per year.
Here's the maths at 35 cents per unit:
| Annual | Monthly | Per person (3-way split) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit cost (2,500 kWh) | €875 | €73 | €24 |
| Standing charge (approx.) | €400 | €33 | €11 |
| Total | €1,275 | €106 | ~€35 |
That assumes an average supplier on a standard rate. Some average-usage households could save over €700 in a year by switching electricity provider — switching takes about 10 minutes online.
Things that push student bills higher
Electric heating — storage heaters, plug-in radiators, and electric panel heaters use a lot of units. If your house doesn't have gas central heating, your electricity usage will be significantly higher than the figures above.
Tumble dryer — one cycle uses about 2.5 kWh. At 35 cents per unit, that's roughly 87 cents per dry. Over a year, it adds up.
Standby appliances — TVs, games consoles, and smart devices left on standby draw small amounts continuously. Switching things off at the wall makes a real difference over a full year.
What you can actually do
You may not be the account holder in your rented house — your landlord may manage the supply account. But if you're in a position to choose a supplier, or if your landlord passes bills to tenants:
- Compare prices at Switcher.ie or PowerToSwitch.ie — free comparison tools regulated by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities).
- Check whether you're on an introductory rate — these expire, usually after 12 months, and the bill often jumps significantly afterwards.
- Use a night rate — if your house has a night-rate meter, running the washing machine or dishwasher overnight can reduce the cost per unit substantially.
The Punt budgeting module covers how to build utility costs into a monthly budget alongside rent, food, and transport.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for educational purposes only. For personal financial advice, speak to an authorised financial advisor or contact MABS on 0818 07 2000.