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About Selectra's Service

Who Are We?

Selectra was created in 2007 by Aurian de Maupeou and Xavier Pinon. Initially, the aim was to help French customers save on their energy bills following reforms that opened the French gas and electricity markets to competition for the first time in 60 years. Selectra IE opened in 2020 to help customers in Ireland sign up to home energy deals. You can read more about the history of Selectra and our values here

Our Mission

Getting the best deal on household expenses isn’t always easy. Clear information can sometimes be difficult to find, comparing offers is often a time-consuming hassle, and just getting through to someone on the phone can be a challenge. Here at Selectra, we help you sign up to energy without hassle.

We strive to provide a one-stop site for people who are interested in signing up to a different energy provider. We are convinced that looking for a cheaper deal shouldn't be a hassle. Therefore, we aim to make the process simpler by saving people time and money by offering them customised quotes from our partner. On our website, we aim to provide clear information about energy products. We work closely with a select provider in Ireland in order to ensure great service to our users.

Frequently Asked Questions about Selectra's service

Is Selectra's service free of charge?

Customers can visit the Selectra website and call our energy team for free. Our service is free to use for customers because we receive commission from our supplier partner for connecting them with new customers. This process does NOT affect the price for the customers. The commission we receive does not influence the recommendations that we provide to you. It is of utmost importance to us that our customers have a positive experience and are satisfied with our services.

Does Selectra work with all the suppliers on the market?

Selectra doesn't work with all the suppliers on the market. We offer a selection of products from a carefully selected supplier, which is Energia. We have chosen the supplier we partner with based on a number of criteria including the following: customer service, green credentials and value for money.

How long does switching take?

It usually takes on average between 15 and 17 days to switch electricity and between 16 and 18 days to switch gas suppliers. Customers always have a 14-day cooling-off period after confirming an agreement with a new energy supplier. During this time, they can change their mind before the switch takes place. After this 14 day period has passed, it should take no longer than a week for the switch to go through.

Will there be an interruption in my supply when it switches?

You can rest assured that there will be no break in your gas or electricity supply when you switch energy supplier. You will not experience any sort of power cut during the switch, and no one should have to come to your property to replace any meter, pipes or cables.

I am renting. Can I still switch energy supplier?

Yes, tenants can choose the energy suppliers at the property they are renting. Unless your landlord is paying your energy bill, you get to decide what company you pay to supply gas and electricity to your home. Even though you have the right as a tenant to switch energy suppliers, you may still want to check in with your landlord before you make the change.

As a net importer of energy and a country under pressure to either reduce its carbon footprint or face large fines, where Ireland sources its energy from can be a point of contention. We analyse the history of supply and the present-day situation of energy in Ireland.

What is Ireland's main source of energy?

Firstly, let’s consider where Ireland gets its electricity from. The latest official fuel mix figures for Ireland were released in 2019. They show that across the island, energy was generated in the following percentages for the following energy sources:

While renewable energy sources are pulling ahead, as technically renewable energy is several sources grouped under one umbrella term, gas is actually Ireland’s one main source of energy. Now that we can see what energy sources are driving Irish electricity production, let’s go a step further and see where exactly these energy sources are coming from.

Electricity in Ireland

Amazingly, electricity has existed in Ireland from the late 1800s. Initially, private companies generated and supplied electricity in and around Dublin, with production then spreading across the island. It was during the first world war when coal was rationed, that hydroelectric production was examined.

This eventually led to the construction of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant in the 1920s, on the River Shannon, which provided all the electricity Ireland needed at that time. Ironically, the issue of renewable electricity, which we struggle with so much today, was not an issue then with the entire island being powered by 100% renewable hydroelectric power.

The table below includes all current electricity suppliers in Ireland, along with their cheapest electricity offer.

Cheapest Electricity Offer per Supplier
SupplierBest OfferEstimated Annual BillTrustpilot Reviews
Energia31% Selectra Discount 📞€1,340.314.1 / 5
Yuno EnergyFixed Discount€1,362.073.5 / 5
FlogasNo Discount€1,476.504.0 / 5
SSE AirtricityFixed Offer€1,484.731.3 / 5
Bord Gáis22% on Electricity€1,571.611.7 / 5
Average-€1,669.29-
Electric Ireland5.5% or 8.5% on DF€1,818.361.3 / 5
WaterpowerNo Discount€1,865.44N/A
Community PowerNo Discount€1,937.87N/A
PrepayPowerNo Discount€2,023.204.8 / 5
EcopowerNo Discount€2,116.773.9 / 5
PinergyNo Discount€2,184.854.6 / 5

*Figures are for illustrative purposes only. Calculations based on average consumption figures for an urban home with a 24-hour standard meter unless specified. All discounts and cashback have been applied. This also includes the PSO Levy at €0.00.
Last updated: February 2024

Gas in Ireland

Gas has been used in Ireland much longer than electricity. It became available in 1764 when “distillation” - a process used to manufacture gas from coal - came about. Initially, and until the widespread introduction of electricity, gas was mainly used for public lighting. With time, its use spread to homes and businesses.

As gas prices fluctuated, and under increasing competition from oil and electricity, it seemed that gas use in Ireland might die out in the mid-late19th century. The discovery of gas reserves off the Irish coast near Kinsale changed that, making gas the top heating and power generation choice in Ireland.

Where does Ireland get gas from?

96% of Ireland’s gas supply used to be met by imports, but thankfully nowadays that figure has been reduced to 42%. The gas fields at Corrib and Kinsale currently supply 58% of the gas needed. The remainder needed is imported from Great Britain via sub-sea pipelines that connect Moffat (in Scotland) to Ireland.

The high percentage of imported gas, for both domestic heating use via the gas network, as well as electricity production, is a key factor in driving up Irish gas prices. This because we are not only paying UK prices for the gas we purchase from there, but also the costs of transporting it.

The effect of Brexit on Irish gas prices is also a mounting concern. It is becoming clearer and clearer that Ireland needs to transition to a much higher degree of renewable energy in order to decrease dependence on imported fuels such as gas.

Where does Ireland import coal from?

Ireland’s known coal deposits were mined until 1994. Falling levels of coal in deposits, and laws passed banning the sale and use of smoky coal in urban areas meant that the Irish government began to import coal to be used in energy production.

The vast majority (90%) of the coal used for electricity generation in Ireland comes from Colombia today, and around 75% of all coal is used in Moneypoint, an electricitycgeneration plant.

Renewable energy produced in Ireland

2020 is D-Day for Ireland and its Paris agreement commitments, but unfortunately, we are set to miss our carbon emission reduction targets. With Brexit and the end of the transition period looming on the horizon as well as the repercussions that could arise from decoupling the Irish and UK energy markets, sustainable and renewable energy is even more important for Ireland than ever before.

In 2020, Irish citizens can increase their involvement in meeting energy commitments by:

  1. Lowering their carbon footprint
  2. Investing in renewable energy such as solar energy
  3. Updating insulation in older homes
  4. Reducing overall energy expenditure (here are 101 tips on how to do so!)

The bottom line is that by limiting our energy expenditure and increasing the effectiveness of the energy units we do use, we’ll not only contribute to lowering carbon emissions, we’ll also save money. You can also help by making sure that you choose a provider that has a higher percentag of renewable energy. You can see the percentage for each of the main providers below:

Percentage of Electricity Sourced from Renewables per Supplier
SupplierPercentage
Bord Gáis Energy30.38%
Community Power*42.93%
Ecopower*100%
Electric Ireland80.72%
Energia100%
Flogas100%
Glowpower24.27%
Pinergy100%
PrePayPower25.31%
SSE Airtricity100%
Waterpower*24.27%
Find the Best Renewable Energy OfferCall  (01) 913 1771  Ad  

Source: CRU Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions 2022, pg. 24. 
*The fuel mix from Ecopower, Waterpower, and Community Power have yet to be verified by the CRU.

Windpower is responsible for producing roughly a quarter of Ireland’s renewable energy. Solar energy uptake in Ireland is very low, the second-lowest in the EU, perhaps owing to the misconception that Ireland doesn't have enough sunlight for solar panels to be feasible.

Biomass, biogas and biofuels (such as bioethanol) account for the remaining renewable energy sources.

Peat - is it renewable?

Peat is what is known as a “slow” renewable. Mainly “slow” because as it takes so long to be produced, it is not a feasible renewable source while consumption outstrips production.

What is peat?Peat (also known as turf), resembles a slice of compacted brown earth and is formed by partly decomposed vegetable matter in the acidic environments of bogs. It is cut and used as fuel in Ireland.

Although currently used to fuel generation of almost 5% of Ireland’s electricity needs, peat production and harvesting is being wound down in Ireland. The reason for this is that the process of harvesting peat emits greenhouse gases. Peatlands aid the atmosphere by storing carbon - burning peat then releases those gases.

In fact, burning peat is considered to be more damaging to the environment than coal. Peat harvesting at 17 bogs was shut down last year, and turf-cutting at the remaining 45 bogs (all based in Ireland) will be phased out within seven years.

Does Ireland import electricity from the UK?

Although Ireland is connected to the UK electricity network via the east-west interconnector, in fact, the majority of Irish electricity is produced and consumed domestically. However decoupling from the UK’s system post-Brexit will unfortunately also mean Ireland will be disconnected for the European grid, a key player in trying to reduce carbon emissions.

Luckily, within a few years, the Celtic Interconnector should be up and running and will grant us more permanent access to the market.

Future energy sources for Ireland

a yellow and orange calendar

With all indications pointing towards Ireland missing the Paris agreement 2020 targets for greenhouse gas reduction, it’s time to seriously consider how Ireland is going to meet its future targets.

Brexit has only underscored the importance of both being more independent when it comes to producing our own energy from indigenous sources, and at the same time being better connected to mainland Europe in order to overcome shortfalls or crises.

The infrastructure for wind-power in Ireland must become more developed - not only is it one of our greatest renewable energy sources, but the planned construction of the Celtic Interconnector also indicates that Europe considers it important as well. BioLPG is also a source of interest, given the entrenched use of LPG in Ireland.

Anaerobic digestion plants, where organic waste is used to produce electricity, could also be od increasing importance in the struggle to move away from fossil-fuel-based energy production. Energia will shortly begin producing electricity from the latest biofuel plant in Huntstown, which cost €50 million to build and will be supplied waste by Panda.

The government also needs to take a long hard look at the cattle and dairy sector, and what heating systems are permitted to be installed in new houses.

Irish Energy Prices

Every Irish energy provider has increased their energy prices on multiple occasions over the last year and a half. Unless there is further intervention from the government or the EU, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight on the rise of Irish energy prices. Read on to find out how you may be affected, how much you’ll be paying and how to avoid such a price hike.

Why are energy providers hiking their prices?

Wallet and money

Energy prices dropped to record lows at the height of the pandemic. This was due to an overall decrease in demand for energy. With the world economy beginning to reopen, energy prices have started to increase yet again.

In addition to the increase in demand, network operators (the companies that own and maintain the energy networks) have also recently increased their prices. These network charges make up around 30% of your energy bill. Rather than pay the increased cost themselves, energy providers are simply passing it along to consumers.

How can I get the best deal on energy in Ireland?

The residential energy market in Ireland has been completely transformed since the gas and electricity sectors were deregulated. The purpose of deregulating the market was to invite more competitive pricing and innovative offers for electricity and gas customers, but did it have the desired effect?

Electricity symbols over a calculator

Electricity and gas jargon, VAT and no VAT, offers, discounts, cashback...it can be pretty difficult to get to the bottom of how much the tariff you are on or are checking out will actually end up costing you. Check out how we compare energy providers, or read on to find out more about getting cheaper electricity and gas bills.

Electricity and gas providers in Ireland are somewhat at the mercy of Ireland’s expensive energy and the volatility of the market. If you are on a variable contract, chances are you could face up to three price increases per year as suppliers increase their tariffs in response to shifting market expenses.

The issue is that providers change their tariffs at different times, hoping to convince customers that their offer is the cheapest, only to increase tariffs a month or two later.

To calculate the real cost of a tariff, you’ll need to carry out any discounts against the unit rate (discounts never apply to the whole bill) and add standing charges and levies, as well as adding VAT at 13.5% to get a sense of what it’s going to cost you. With cashback offers, you simply do the math and subtract the cashback.

However, it is still worth doing your homework to see when was the last time that supplier increased their tariffs - if it’s coming up to six months than chances are they’ll be increasing them soon after you’ve already locked yourself into the tariff.

The only way to be sure that you are saving hundreds of Euros a year on your energy bills is to switch electricity or gas provider every 12 months. Apart from the longer-term electricity plans offered by Glowpower, most discounts only run for the first 12 months of a contract as a new customer.

After that, if you don’t switch to a new provider or negotiate a new rate with your current provider, you’ll be moved on to the standard tariff, which can in some cases cost you up to €300 extra a year.

Try and also keep in mind what you would like from your supplier - excellent customer service, renewable energy tariffs, prepaid or long term contracts, free or subsidized smart thermostats etc. Sometimes it is worth paying a few quid more for a supplier to ticks all your boxes.

Moving into a new home?

A lightbulb and a flame in an open cardboard box

If you’re building your dream house and have no idea how to get electricity or gas connected in a new build, check out our guide. The main point to keep in mind is that you do NOT have to accept the default supplier, usually Electric Ireland.

If you are renting or moving from a house you already own, make sure to take photos with a newspaper from that day in them, of the current gas and electricity meter readings so that you can send them to your supplier and receive a final bill.

Similarly, when moving into a new home, take similar photos so you can check if you are being billed correctly or are being charged for energy expenditure caused by the previous inhabitant.

Note that in the case of buying a new home, you are responsible for any billing amounts accrued from after the date of legal possession, not necessarily the date you move in.

Get 31% off with Energia!

energia logo

Here are Energia's new discounts!

  • 🌟 31% off Electricity Only
  • 🌟 26% off Dual Fuel
  • 🌟 19% off Smart Tariffs
  • 🌟 21% off Smart Dual Fuel

Call Selectra now to get up with Ireland's cheapest energy provider!

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