PrepayPower has announced a price freeze on electricity and gas for its roughly 200,000 customers, guaranteeing no rate increases until March 2027 at the earliest. The move by Ireland’s largest pay-as-you-go supplier arrives as households face wider market hikes and climbing energy product costs.
Winter Price Freeze Details and Wholesale Pressures
The upcoming winter freeze covers approximately 180,000 electricity customers and 60,000 gas customers, with dual-fuel users counted in both categories. PrepayPower stated that the decision comes despite rising wholesale energy costs and concerns over European gas supplies at a time when most customers are fearing energy price increases
, according to rte.ie.
The provider previously announced a similar winter price freeze ahead of last year alongside its sister company Yuno Energy and Electric Ireland. However, those holds gave way in June when PrepayPower raised electricity prices by 8.8% and gas prices by 10.6%, mirroring broader rate hikes across the energy sector this year.
Central Statistics Office figures published in September showed that prices for energy products, including electricity, gas, and other fuels, jumped by 15.3% over the preceding year. This inflation backdrop contrasts with the multi-year rate protection offered by the upcoming freeze.
Enhanced Consumer Protections and Arrears Rules
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published enhanced protection measures for energy customers taking effect this winter. These regulatory updates mandate that repayment plans for customers in arrears must reflect genuine affordability, treat upfront payments as optional, and allow at least 18 months for debt clearance.
Regulators stipulated that suppliers must exhaust practical solutions within internal support frameworks before referring struggling customers to organizations such as MABS or SVP. Additional safeguards require suppliers to keep the maximum legacy debt recovery proportion on pre-payment meters at 15% and maintain emergency credit at an increased level of €20, up from €10.
Financial hardship meter customers must be placed on their lowest-cost tariff, backed by trained staff and dedicated support contacts. Furthermore, the €200 charge for moving from a gas pay-as-you-go meter to a credit meter remains suspended.
Arrears Figures Across Domestic Accounts
Regulatory data highlights the scale of financial strain facing households ahead of the colder months. Figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities show that in July, 14% of domestic electricity customers—totaling 322,234 accounts—were in arrears.
Gas accounts faced even higher proportional distress, with 27% or 188,882 domestic gas customers behind on their bills. Average account debt stands above €500 for electricity customers and exceeds €200 for gas users.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PrepayPower price freeze end?
PrepayPower guarantees that its customer rates will remain frozen until March 2027 at the earliest.
What is the current limit on emergency credit for prepayment meters?
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has kept emergency credit on prepayment meters at the increased level of €20, up from the previous €10 limit.
How many customers are currently behind on their utility bills?
Regulatory figures from July show that 14% of domestic electricity customers and 27% of domestic gas customers were in arrears.
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