30-Second Overview
Many Irish businesses are overpaying for energy by staying on outdated or out-of-contract rates. These rates are 50% higher than in-contract plans.
Comparing commercial electricity and gas prices can save your business hundreds or even thousands of euros each year by:
- Avoiding costly variable rates;
- Finding the best deal for your meter type and usage;
- Getting expert help from Utilityfair, in minutes.
⚡ To make sure that your business is on the best electricity or gas rate, or to compare prices from all Irish suppliers, upload a recent electricity or gas bill using the link below, and our energy experts will analyse it for free. No obligation - just savings insights 👇
What Are Out-of-Contract or Variable Business Energy Rates?
Out-of-Contract Rates
Out-of-contract energy rates are default tariffs your supplier charges when:
- Your contract has expired and hasn't been renewed;
- Your supplier switch is delayed, resulting in a gap between the end of one contract and the beginning of another.
These rates are not competitive and are intended as a penalty for inactivity.
Variable Rates
Variable rates can be up to 50% more expensive than contracted rates. They fluctuate frequently and offer no budget certainty.
The only solution is to always secure a new electricity or gas contract before your existing one ends to avoid these inflated prices.
What Is a Good Business Electricity or Gas Rate in Ireland?
The best commercial electricity rates and gas rates depend on:
- Your monthly energy spend;
- Your meter type (e.g. 24hr, day/night, DG5, DG6);
- Unit usage and time-of-use patterns;
- Standing charges, capacity charges, and fixed costs.
Commercial Electricity Rates (2026)
| 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 |
Commercial Gas Rates (2026)
| Business Size | Monthly Bill | Commodity Unit Rate | Standing charge (daily) | Capacity/Site Charge | Fixed Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business User | below €600 | 6.0c - 7.5c | €0.29 - €0.63 | -- | -- |
| Medium Business User | €600 - €3,000 | 3.5c - 4.5c | €0.63 - €1.18 | €2.23 - €3.29 | -- |
| Fuel Variation Tariff | €3,000 - €6,500 | 3.2c - 4.0c | -- | €2.23 - €3.16 | 0.6c - 0.9c |
| Daily Metered | above €6,500 | Contact us for a bespoke quote |
⚡Commercial electricity and gas rates will depend on your business-specific annual usage. Speak to one of our experts to get bespoke pricing and receive the latest rates from every Irish supplier side-by-side, matched to your exact meter type and usage profile. It's completely free 👇
Fixed-Term Contracts
• Lock in gas and electricity unit rates for 1–2 years.
• Ideal for budget certainty.
• Regulatory charges can still change annually.
Wholesale Price Trackers
• Prices follow daily SEMO (electricity) or Irish gas markets.
• Transparent and market-based.
• Not recommended for businesses needing predictable budgets.
Unbundled Pass-Through Contracts
• Split your bill into: Fixed commodity costs and Variable non-energy costs (network, transport, regulation).
• Best suited for medium and large energy users.
Flexible Energy Contracts
• Fix blocks of usage (e.g. 10%–25%) at different times.
• Enables hedging in volatile markets.
• Requires active monitoring and energy strategy.
Blend and Extend Contracts
• Extend an existing contract at a blended, lower rate.
• Great for businesses happy with their supplier and looking to save mid-contract.
• Requires active monitoring and energy strategy.
How to Quickly Compare Business Electricity and Gas Deals
Comparing rates from multiple suppliers is time-consuming and complex. Utilityfair is Ireland's leading commercial energy broker with over 20,000 customers and 1,600+ 5-star Trustpilot reviews.
Utilityfair does the work for you, saving you time and money:
- Instant comparison of fixed, tracker, and flexible tariffs
- Analysis based on your meter type, usage profile, and billing
- Ongoing contract support, so you never roll onto a high variable rate again
👉 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)
Comparing commercial energy prices helps Irish businesses avoid expensive out-of-contract rates, which are often 50% higher than standard rates. A quick comparison can lead to significant annual savings by securing a more competitive energy deal.
Out-of-contract rates are default tariffs applied when a business contract expires without renewal. These rates are penalty-priced, often up to twice the cost of a contracted rate, and should be avoided by switching or renewing in time.
If you haven’t switched suppliers in over 12 months, or if your contract has ended, you’re likely on variable rates. Reviewing your bill and checking your unit rate and standing charge will help identify overpayment.
A good business electricity rate for SMEs in 2026 is typically: (i) 24hr Rate: 25.5c – 29.5c per kWh, (ii) Day Rate: 26.5c – 29.5c per kWh and (iii) Night Rate: 15.5c – 19.0c per kWh. Lower rates are available for large-volume users or businesses with flexible contracts.
For 2026, typical gas unit rates by business size are: (i) Small Business: 6.0c – 7.5c per kWh, (ii) Medium User: 5.0c – 6.5c per kWh, and (iii) Large Users: 4.0c – 5.5c per kWh (Fuel Variation Tariff). These figures vary based on contract type and consumption.
Common business energy contracts in Ireland include: (i) Fixed-term contracts (1–2 years, price stability), (ii) Wholesale trackers - rates follow market prices, (iii) Unbundled pass-through contracts - non-energy costs vary (iv) Flexible contracts - lock in energy in tranches, and (v) Blend and extend deals - extend at lower blended rates.
Yes. While they can be cheaper in a falling market, wholesale tracker tariffs are volatile and not ideal for businesses that need budget certainty or fixed operating costs.
Utilityfair compares business electricity and gas suppliers across Ireland, identifies the best tariff for your meter type and usage, and manages the switch—ensuring you never roll onto expensive default rates.
The fastest way to compare electricity and gas prices is to upload your bill to Utilityfair or call 01 547 0999. Our experts analyse your usage and return competitive quotes in minutes.
Businesses should review their electricity and gas contracts at least once a year, or 30–60 days before their contract expires, to avoid being moved to higher variable rates.
