Natural Gas in Ireland: Are Natural Gas Prices Coming Down?

Natural gas prices in Ireland are currently at €0.1269/kWh, the lowest since the beginning of 2022. Gas prices have been steadily coming down and comparing gas plan is getting more and more difficult as there appears to be a rush to the bottom. In our compare natural gas guide, we'll walk you through how to navigate the market and where the best gas tariffs are!

Which Is the Cheapest Gas Provider in Ireland?

Currently, the cheapest gas provider in Ireland is Bord Gáis with an estimated annual bill (EAB) of €1,269.19. Since gas customers tend to only have one type of meter, this makes it easier to compare. At moment, the average gas bill in Ireland is €1,334.72. Here's a list of all the gas providers in Ireland and their offers:

*Figures are for illustrative purposes only. All discounts and cashback have been applied to price. Calculations based on average consumption figures.
Last updated: April 2024

How Have Natural Gas Prices Changed in Ireland?

The price of natural gas has been the main driver of the energy crisis that we have been experiencing in recent years since the pandemic. Since the price of natural gas affects the price of electricity - through something called marginal pricing - it has made all electricity from every source much more expensive.

How Much Have Natural Gas Prices Decreased?

Ireland has seen a major increase in its gas prices since the start of the global energy crisis, however the prices have started coming down significantly. European gas prices are currently at €27/MWh which is the lowest it has been since 2021. Ireland currently has the 5th most expensive gas prices at €0.1269/kWh. This is double what we were paying pre-pandemic in 2018.

Here’s a table showing the increase of household gas prices in Ireland:

Last Updated: March 2024
Source: Eurostat

When will I see the lower gas prices on my bills? Although gas prices have been declining, because of the way suppliers purchase energy, we're unlikely to see this decline on our bills for a while. It takes a little while for the retail gas prices to come down since suppliers still need to be compensated for buying high.

How Can I Compare Natural Gas Prices in Ireland?

With the continuous changes in the price of natural gas, it is only normal to want to compare gas prices when choosing an energy provider for your home or business, and it's just like comparing your electricity! Your consumption can be far from these amounts, consequently, the best gas provider for your home may be very different. There are a few items to consider to properly compare gas prices, specifically:

1. Provider
   Many providers give attractive discounts to new customers. So lucrative for customers is switching suppliers that the CRU recommends changing every 12 months to save over €900 a year in your energy bills!
2. Energy Plan
   You can obtain further discounts by combining your electricity price with the same provider as your natural gas supply. This is known as a dual-fuel plan.
3. Gas-Related Charges
   Apart from the price per unit, you also need to account for the following two charges on every gas bill:
   • Carbon Tax
     This is currently set at 0.808c per unit of gas used and is a tax for carbon emissions. This is usually added to your bill if you use carbon-emitting fuel.
   • Gas standing charges
     This is a fixed amount set by your provider. You need to pay this amount regardless if you use a lot of gas or none at all.
4. Call an Expert
   To accurately compare gas prices, you will need a copy of your most recent gas bill with you and make the calculations yourself, or simply call an energy advisor.

Does It Matter Which Natural Gas Provider I Choose?

Yes! Currently, there is a large difference between some suppliers in their gas prices. Why continue to pay more? At Selectra, our energy experts are here to help you find the best gas offer for your home. Free of charge and easy to use, our call centre is open weekdays from 9am to 6:30pm where we can answer any energy-related question you may have!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current price of gas in Ireland?

The current price of gas in Ireland is €0.1269/kWh, double what we were paying pre-pandemic in 2018!

Who is the cheapest gas provider in Ireland?

Currently, the cheapest gas provider in Ireland is Bord Gáis with an estimated annual bill (EAB) of €1,269.19.

What is the average gas price in Ireland?

The average gas bill in Ireland is €1,334.72.

Is Natural Gas Renewable?

No, natural gas is not a renewable source of energy. As it is extracted from the earth much like oil and coal, it is a resource that will eventually deplete.

There are however initiatives for a carbon-neutral renewable gas, initiatives coming mainly from Gas Networks Ireland.

This gas is made from organic waste (food and farm), also known as biomethane, its big advantage apart from reducing carbon emissions is that it is compatible with existing appliances and current gas networks for the country.

Alternatively, in the meantime, you can always opt for a gas provider such as Flogas which offers a carbon-neutral natural gas. The gas is not biomethane, however, the company buys back carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions from your gas consumption.

What Is Natural Gas Extracted by Fracking?

Although its popularity has come to light in the last two decades, its practice can be dated as far back as 1862 in the U.S.

Fracking consists of blasting high-pressure water deep in the earth’s crust where shale elements are. As shale contains oil and gas, the high pressure extracts these elements from what is otherwise solid rock.

How does the carbon tax affect my bill? The carbon tax is currently set at €41.00 per tonne of CO2 produced and is due to go up to around €48.50. This will have a 'knock-on effect' on your gas bill and usually adds on a hefty amount to your yearly spend. Read Our Carbon Tax Guide!

How Does Natural Gas Affect the Environment?

As we mentioned earlier, natural gas’ main component is methane. Methane has been identified as one of the main culprits of global warming due to the carbon it emits into the atmosphere.

Scientists originally believed that much of the methane in our atmosphere came from natural elements such as volcanoes and hot springs. Natural gas was only attributed to some 15-20% of the methane emissions.

However, recent studies published by Nature energy reveal that methane emissions from gas (in all its forms: liquid, fuel, oil, etc.) are far worse than originally thought and actually hovers between 50-60%.

This makes the need for green, renewable energy sources as well as green solutions like electric vehicles or hybrid cars, a pressing matter.

Is Natural Gas and LPG the Same?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas which is either propane or butane. Natural gas on the contrary is in a gas state and not liquid-like.

The main difference between the two is that LPG contains more energy, 2.4 times more energy to be precise. Consequently, appliances and home heaters are different according to the type of gas you use.

Do not use the same appliances if you change the type of gas you use for your home! Given the higher energy output of LPG, holes in the appliances are much smaller than those for natural gas. Trying to interchange appliances can cause you serious injuries or even death, do not attempt!