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Electricity & gas · Ireland
Checked 2026-09-30

⏱️ Fixed price or dynamic (hourly) electricity contract in Ireland: which is right for me?

The short answer

A fixed price stays the same for an agreed period. A dynamic price follows the wholesale market hour by hour, so it can be cheaper when you shift your use, and more expensive at peak times.

📜 The rules in Ireland

Fixed and dynamic contracts

Since 1 June 2026 the five electricity suppliers obliged by the CRU must offer a "Standard Dynamic Price Contract", whose unit rate varies every half hour with wholesale prices. It suits smart-meter customers who can shift their use.

  • Under Irish law (S.I. No. 20 of 2022) you can get a dynamic price contract from any supplier with more than 200,000 electricity customers: Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, PrePay Power/Yuno and SSE Airtricity (CRU, 2024). (cru.ie)
  • Protections: dynamic prices are capped so extreme peaks are limited, suppliers must publish the next day's 48 half-hourly prices in advance, and you must be told the risks before you sign up. (cru.ie)
  • Fixed-term contracts must be clearly marked. Your supplier must write to you 30 to 60 days before a fixed term ends, show your current and new estimated annual bill, and state that there are no penalties for switching when the contract expires. (cru.ie)
Official source: cru.ie · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Look at how you use energyA dynamic price suits people who can move use to cheap hours, for example with an electric car, a heat pump or a timer. It needs a smart meter.
  2. Check what is on offerSee below what the rules in Ireland say about fixed-price and dynamic contracts and who has to offer them.
  3. Read the risks and the termsBefore you sign, the supplier must explain the costs and risks of a dynamic contract. Check the notice period and any exit fee.
  4. Review after a few monthsCompare your bills with what a fixed price would have cost. You can switch again under your contract terms.

📇 Who to contact

CRU-accredited price comparison websites: Bonkers.ie, Switcher.ie, PowerToSwitch.ie, EnergySwitch.ie not run by the stateCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.cru.ie/consumer-information/switch-supplier/price-comparison-websites
Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 1800 404 404🔗 www.cru.ie

❓ Questions

Is a dynamic contract cheaper?

Only if you use a lot of power when prices are low. At peak times it can cost much more than a fixed price.

Do I need a smart meter?

Yes. Hourly prices need a meter that records your use per hour or per quarter hour.

Can a fixed price still go up?

Normally not during the fixed period, but taxes and network charges can change. The rules for Ireland are on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

📈Price increase→🔄Switching supplier→📟Smart meter→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→

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