30-Seconds Overview
For the period 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024, the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy in Ireland was set to €0 for all electricity customers. This decision by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was due to a negative PSO funding requirement of €67.47 million, indicating that renewable generators had earned more than expected in the previous period, reducing the need for additional funding. Consequently, customers did not receive a PSO credit on their bills during this period.
What is the Electricity PSO Levy?
The Public Service Obligation Levy (PSO) is a government-mandated charge on electricity customers, determined annually by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It supports:
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Renewable electricity generation (wind, solar, hydro, biomass).
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Security of supply and indigenous fuel generation.
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Integration of new technologies and grid upgrades.
The PSO levy is sometimes referred to as a “pass-through” or “non-energy” charge, as suppliers do not profit from it - they simply collect it on behalf of the government.
The CRU has determined that the negative PSO funding requirement for the PSO Year 2023/24 was -€67.47 million. While the PSO funding requirement was negative, it does represent an increase from the 2022/23 PSO funding requirement of -€491.25 million. Given the relatively smaller payment that would be due to customers for the PSO Year 2023/24, the CRU decided to use this to mitigate volatility in wholesale energy prices, which will be used to offset next year’s PSO levy.
The latest electricity PSO levy can be viewed by clicking the following link: Electricity PSO Levy 2025/2026.
What are the New PSO Levy Rates?
The amount of PSO you pay for your business premises is based on your Maximum Import Capacity (MIC). The PSO levy rates for businesses and domestic consumers were set to zero for the 2023/24 year. This meant that from 1 October 2023 until 30 September 2024, commercial and domestic customers stopped receiving a PSO credit and had a zero PSO charge.
What Were the 2022/2023 PSO Levy Rates?
The PSO levy rates for businesses and domestic meters from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 are:
- PSO where MIC < 30kVA = €-25.96 per month (ex. VAT)
- PSO where MIC => 30kVA = €-3.15 per kVA per month (ex. VAT)
- PSO for domestic meters = €-7.43 per month (ex. VAT)
How Much did Business & Domestic Consumers Lose?
- A small business with an MIC of less than 30kVA will see the PSO levy credit removed. This will add €311 to annual electricity bills.
- A large business with an MIC greater than 30kVA will see the PSO levy credit removed, representing a loss of €3.15 per kVA per month. For example, a business with an MIC setting of 200kVA will no longer receive a credit equivalent to €7,560 per annum.
- Domestic users will lose out on the PSO credit equal to €89 per annum
To find out more, click on the following link: PSO Levy for 2023/24
How To Get the Best Business Electricity Deal?
In a landscape of fluctuating PSO levies and energy prices, selecting the right electricity tariff is crucial. Here's how Utilityfair assists our business customers:
- Analysing your meter type and usage profile
- Comparing fixed, flexible, and tracker tariffs
- Identifying hidden charges and unbundled costs
- Monitoring contract expiry to prevent auto-renewal at high rates
👉 Get Started Today!
Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below, or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert and start saving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy is a charge applied to all electricity customers in Ireland to support the generation of electricity from sustainable and renewable sources. It is reviewed annually by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), with any changes becoming effective on 1 October each year.
For the period from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024, the CRU set the PSO Levy to zero. This means that businesses and domestic customers did not receive a PSO credit on their bills during this time.
In the 2022/2023 period, businesses and domestic customers received a PSO credit, effectively reducing their electricity bills. However, for the 2023/2024 period, the PSO Levy was set to zero, meaning customers no longer received this credit, leading to an increase in their electricity bills.
We offer expert guidance to businesses seeking to manage and reduce their energy costs. Our energy specialists can help you compare electricity suppliers, identify the best deals, and ensure that businesses are not overpaying for their energy needs. To get started fill in the enquiry form on our website or give us a call on 01 547 0999.
