ELECTRICITY providers,
ESB, Bord Gáis and Airtricity, will be grilled
tomorrow on why customers pay more for power in
Donegal than Derry.
Donegal North East T.D., Deputy Joe McHugh said he
would 'tackle' electricity companies at the
Oireachtas Communications Committee meeting to find
out why there is such a difference between prices
north and south of the Border.
Deputy McHugh said: "Based on October 2010 prices,
average ESB customers pay €686 a year, which is
substantially higher than the €600 average cost for
NIE Northern Ireland customers.
“The Republic of Ireland has the fifth highest
domestic electricity price out of 31 countries in
Europe. And Ireland is the sixth most expensive
country in Europe for business electricity costs."
The deputy said the imminent 5% Public Service
Obligation (PSO) levy on ESB bills would result in
increases of €100 a year for small businesses.
“Tomorrow morning Bord Gáis, ESB, Airtricity and the
Commission for Energy Regulation will come before
the Oireachtas Communications Committee. Those
companies will be forced to explain why customers in
this State are being forced to pay 14.4% more per
year than customers across the Border. Businesses on
this side of the Border are struggling to compete
because of these higher costs. This price difference
is completely unacceptable," he added. |
