30-Second Overview
Smart businesses review their commercial electricity contract every 12 months to avoid overpaying. The table below shows typical commercial electricity rates in Ireland. Electricity unit rates vary depending on kWh usage and meter type. For exact pricing in minutes, speak to Utilityfair’s energy experts. We have every supplier's pricing and will send you a bespoke comparison for your meter completely free!
Current Commercial Electricity Rates in Ireland
| Business Size | Monthly Bill | 24hr Unit Rate | Day Unit Rate | Night Unit Rate | Standing charge (daily) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small to Medium | below €1,500 | 24.5c - 27.5c | 26.5c - 29.5c | 15.5c - 19.0c | €0.35 - €0.99 |
| Large | €1,500 - €4,000 | -- | 23.5c - 25.5c | 15.0c - 18.0c | €3.28 - €6.50 |
| Very Large | above €4,000 | Contact us for a bespoke quote |
Some plans split energy and non-energy charges. The energy-only rate is typically 16 c/kWh lower during the day and 6.7 c/kWh lower at night.
⚡Pro Tip: Rates vary by usage and meter type. Our energy experts can provide exact pricing instantly, with a comparison of all supplers side-by-side. It's completely free. Click the link below to get started 👇
Factors That Affect Commercial Electricity Rates
Three main factors impact commercial electricity rates:
1. Meter Category
Whether your business has a standard 24-hour meter or a day/night (nightsaver) meter will influence your available rates.
- Nightsaver meters offer lower night-time rates, but this is offset by higher daytime rates.
- The breakeven point for a nightsaver meter is approximately 30% night-time usage. This suits businesses that operate late hours or have high night-time usage via refrigeration, food production, or water heating.
2. Electricity Consumption
- Large energy users benefit from volume-based discounts and bespoke pricing.
- Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically get better value by comparing all suppliers and maximising their discounts.
3. Tariff Type
Electricity suppliers have two main pricing structures:
- Fixed-rate contracts: offer price certainty for up to 24 months. This is ideal for budgeting.
- Variable/tracker tariffs: follow wholesale electricity prices. This suits businesses that are comfortable with taking energy price risk. This is explained in more detail in the next section.
💡 Pro tip: Some plans advertise low unit rates but carry high daily standing charges, while others do the opposite. For accurate comparisons, always consider the total cost, and not just the unit rate.
⚡ How Utilityfair Can Help: We are constantly monitoring electricity prices and trends. We have every supplier's prices at our finger tips and can send you the side-by-side comparision of all suppliers, tailored for your usage, in minutes. Click the buttons below for a free bill analysis and get started today 👇
What Type of Commercial Electricity Contracts are Available?
Fixed-Term Electricity Contracts
Fixed-term electricity contracts typically last 12 - 24 months.
Contract pricing includes a fixed unit rate for electricity usage and a daily standing charge.
Best for businesses looking for budget certainty and protection from price volatility.
Wholesale Electricity Price Tracker
Wholesale electricity trackers follow power station auction prices published by SEMO (Single Electricity Market Operator).
Businesses cannot purchase electricity at the wholesale rate. Suppliers must add regulatory charges and a small supplier margin on top.
Best for businesses looking for transparent pricing with potential savings in a falling market.
Unbundled Pass-Through Contracts
Unbundled contracts split energy and non-energy costs.
This contract type clearly shows (i) energy costs, and (ii) regulatory charges such as Distribution (DUoS), Transmission (TUoS), and SEMO market changes.
Best for medium-to-large businesses with predictable energy usage.
Flexible Electricity Contracts
This contract type allows businesses to choose whether to fix prices and unfix them during the contract term.
Businesses can fix and unfix blocks of 10% - 25% monthly usage at a time. This provides the flexibility to fix electricity prices when the market is expected to rise, and unfix prices when the market is expected to fall.
This contract type is great for timing the market. Businesses can take advantage of downward movements in electricity prices and minimise exposure during periods of market volatility.
Best for energy-savvy businesses that can manage exposure to price fluctuations.
Blend and Extend Contracts
With blend and extend contracts, businesses have the option to extend the contract mid-term when prices fall.
New cheaper rates are blended with the old rates to arrive at a lower all-in rate. For example, if there is one year remaining on an old contract at 40 c/kWh and a new contract for a further second year costs 20 c/kWh. The new blended rate for a 2-year contract is 30 c/kWh.
Best for larger businesses happy with their current business energy supplier.
How to Compare Commercial Electricity Suppliers
Comparing commercial electricity prices across multiple suppliers is time-consuming and can be complex if you are not familiar. That's where Utilityfair can help you. We have every supplier's latest pricing already loaded into our models, and can produce a bespoke comparison for your meter type and usage in minutes, completely free. In a nutshell, Utilityfair simplifies the process by:
- Analysing your meter type and usage profile.
- Comparing fixed, flexible, and tracker tariffs.
- Showing you any hidden charges and unbundled costs.
- Arranging your new contract at the best market rates hassle-free, saving you time and money.
- Monitoring your new contract expiry so you're never auto-rolled to expensive rates.
👉 Get Started Today!
Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair and start saving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The average all-in commercial electricity rates range from 24.5c to 29.5c per kWh during the day and 15.0c to 19.0c per kWh at night. The exact electricity rates depend on your usage, meter type, and supplier. Rates for large users are often discounted through bespoke contracts.
The best rate depends on your meter type, usage level, and tariff structure. Businesses can save money on their business electricity bills by comparing rates across suppliers, considering both unit rates and standing charges. Utilityfair can do this for you with a free price comparison.
A fixed tariff offers price certainty for 12 to 24 months, which is ideal for businesses trying to budget. A variable or tracker tariff moves with the wholesale market and suits businesses willing to manage price fluctuations for potential savings.
A standard 24-hour meter applies one flat rate all day. A day/night (Nightsaver) meter offers cheaper rates during off-peak night hours, but with higher daytime rates. They're ideal if 30% or more of your usage is at night.
It’s recommended to review and switch business energy suppliers every 12 months, or at the end of your contract. The energy markets shift regularly, and failing to review your contract may result in being rolled onto expensive default rates.
Yes. Small businesses (SMEs) often benefit from tariffs with lower standing charges rather than low unit rates. Utilityfair helps SMEs find the most cost-effective plan based on actual usage.
These are non-energy costs like distribution (DUoS), transmission (TUoS), and market operator charges (SEMO). In unbundled tariffs, these charges are passed directly to the customer and can fluctuate during the contract.
Wholesale tracker plans pass on the daily average electricity auction price, published by SEMO, to the customer. A supplier margin and regulatory charges are added. It's a transparent, market-based pricing option.
DUoS (Distribution Use of System) are the charges for using the local grid.
TUoS (Transmission Use of System) are the charges to maintain the national transmission network.
SEM are the charges towards the market operator costs, related to energy trading.
These can vary and are passed through on unbundled tariffs.
To avoid being rolled onto higher rates, businesses should monitor their contract expiry date and renew (or switch suppliers) before their current plan ends. Our energy experts will compare all energy suppliers in Ireland and monitor your contract end-dates, ensuring you avoid being placed on high out-of-contract or deemed rates.
Yes. High-usage businesses often qualify for custom or blended pricing, and may benefit from volume-based discounts or flexible contracts not available to smaller users.
This contract lets you extend your current agreement at a blended rate when market prices fall. In return, the supplier rewards loyalty with a lower average rate for the extended term.
Yes. Utilityfair works with all major commercial electricity suppliers in Ireland and provides independent, side-by-side comparisons based on your specific meter and usage data.
Switching usually takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on supplier timelines and your meter type. There’s no disruption to your electricity supply during the process.
Yes. Business electricity plans are priced differently and depend on usage patterns, meter type, and contract size. Commercial rates also include options like pass-through charges and flexible contracts that aren’t available to residential users.
A good business electricity rate takes into consideration your energy consumption, your meter category and your tariff type. Pay particular attention to plans that advertise low unit rates but carry high daily standing charges (or the opposite). When choosing a price plan for your business, always consider the total cost, and not just the unit rate.
For a commercial meter, night-time rates are applied between 11pm - 8am.
To get the cheapest commercial electricity price plan, you must consider your meter category, your contract type and the energy usage of your business. With these details, you should compare the offers of business energy suppliers, which can be extremely time-consuming. Our energy experts will compare all Irish suppliers for free and in minutes, taking into consideration your business needs.
Standing charge is the daily charge that suppliers will apply to your bill regardless of your energy usage. You pay the same charge, even if your usage is zero. For a small business meter (DG5 category), the standing charge varies between 35c per day to €1 per day. For larger business meter (DG6 meter category), the standing charge varies between €3.28 per day to €6.50 per day.
