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Setting up a new ESB connection depends on the type of property you are connecting. For recently vacated homes where the connection has not been removed, the process simply requires you to sign up with a new energy provider. For all brand-new builds and homes that have been unoccupied for more than 2 years, you will have to apply for a new connection to be installed. Standard new connections cost roughly €3,600 including VAT.
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There are several types of new ESB connections, depending on the specific needs of the customer.
Below you will find some common new connection types:
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If you are moving into a brand-new home or flat as part of a larger housing development, the application process for a new connection is quite straightforward.
What you'll need to do is the following:
If you require a new meter installed, connection could take more than a week, but for standard, newly built homes, there should already be a meter installed. Connection should only take a day or two from signing up with an electricity supplier.
If your new home is a standalone property that you have built yourself, there are a few more steps involved in setting up a new connection.
To set up a new connection, you will have to apply online via the ESB Networks’ (ESBN) New Connections Page.
As part of the application, you will need to provide the following information:
Once you finish your application process, it should take about 15 days for you to receive a quote for the cost of your new connection.
Following this, it takes about 60 days for work on the new connection to be completed
The typical price for a single, standard connection is €3,602 and for a single enhanced connection (16 KVA) €4,877.
While ESB Networks aims to provide a quote within 15 business days and complete the connection within 60 business days of receiving your payment and signed agreement, these times are estimates only.
To manage your progress, you can use the official online tool:
Once ESB Networks has completed its work, the status on the tracker will change to 'Service Live'. It is vital to understand that this does not mean the power is turned on; it means the connection to the network is ready.
There are two final steps before you receive electricity:
When a property is connected for the very first time, it must be registered with an electricity supplier before power can be turned on.
If you apply for a new connection and do not nominate or sign up with an energy supplier, the market operator is required by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to assign Electric Ireland as the default supplier for the new premises.
You are free to compare and switch away from this default supplier immediately after your account is active.
If you have moved in to a second-hand home that already had an existing ESB connection, to reconnect you will need to establish for how long the house has been disconnected. This will dictate how you go about reconnecting to the grid.
There are three time ranges:
Below you will find details on how each reconnection process works:
Moving into a home that has been disconnected for less than 6 months is quite straightforward and follows the same process as moving into a brand-new home.
Using your MPRN number, simply sign up with a new electricity provider as the new tenants of the property, and you should have your electricity switched on within a few days.
You can ask the previous tenants or estate agents for a copy of the MPRN number.
If the connection has been inactive for between 6 months to 2 years, there are a few more steps that must be taken before you are reconnected.
You must have the wiring and electrical infrastructure of the home checked by a registered electrical contractor who, upon completion of their assessment, will submit a signed certificate on your behalf provided no additional work is necessary.
Following this, you are free to sign up with an electrical supplier using your MPRN number.
If the property has been unoccupied for more than 2 years, you will have to apply for a new connection.
Often times a site visit will be made to assess the condition of the current meter. If it is found to be working correctly, the property can be reconnected upon payment of an energisation charge and receipt of a wiring certification.
If it is necessary for a new meter to be installed, you will have to apply online.
This can be done via the online application portal linked above.
Yes, there is an ESB new connection login that you can use to access your account and manage your connection.
You can create an account by visiting the ESB Networks website and following the instructions. Once you have created your account, you can log in and start managing your connection.
You can view and edit your connection details, check your energy usage, and make payments.
If you experience excessive delays, disputes over costs, or any issues with the service quality of your new ESB connection, you have a regulated path for complaint resolution.
| Regulator Contact Details (CRU) |
|---|
| CRU Phone: 1800 404 404 (Lo-call) |
| CRU Email: [email protected] |
The cost of a new connection will depend on a variety of factors, such as the location of the property and the expected usage.
However, connection costs are usually expensive, so you should have a budget planned beforehand before you go into it.
Here are some of the prices for domestic and commercial properties for new electricity connections in Ireland:
| Connection Type | Max Import Capacity | Connection Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Connection | 12kVA | €3,600 |
| Enhanced Connection (conditions apply) | 16kVa | €4,877 |
| Family Apartment | 12kVA | €333 |
| Non-Dwelling Farm Building | 3kVA | 50% of design costs |
The main contact number for ESB Networks is 1800 372 757.
ESB Networks representatives are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The emergency line is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
If possible, we recommend that you have your MPRN on hand when you call.
| Contact method | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Phone number | 1800 372 757 |
| Phone number from abroad | 00353 21 238 6555 |
| Emergency contact number | 1800 372 999 |
| Email address | [email protected] |
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The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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