Which Provider Has the Cheapest Pay As You Go Electricity in Ireland?

Content Manager

Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.

Updated on 25/09/2025

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As of September 2025, the cheapest pay as you go electricity in Ireland is PrepayPower with an annual estimated bill of €1,853.06 including VAT. PAYG electricity works by using a prepayment meter that you top up with credit before you use the energy. As you consume electricity, the meter deducts the cost from your balance in real time, giving you control over your spending. If you are looking to compare electricity prices in Ireland, you can call 📞(01) 913 1771.

How Does Pay As You Go Electricity Work?

Instead of a single, monthly or bimonthly bill, PAYG customers pay for their electricity upfront.

This model is often favoured by renters, those with variable income, or anyone who wants to actively monitor and reduce their energy consumption.

The total cost of your PAYG electricity is made up of several components:

Unit Rate (c/kWh): This is the price you pay for each unit of electricity you consume. This is the most significant factor in your overall cost and a key point of comparison.
Standing Charge: A fixed daily or annual charge that covers the costs of providing a supply to your home, such as network maintenance and customer service. This charge is applied regardless of how much electricity you use.
Prepayment Service Charge: A daily charge specific to PAYG customers that covers the cost of maintaining the prepayment system and meter. This charge is unique to this type of plan and is a key reason PAYG can be more expensive than bill-pay.
Government Levies: The PSO levy is a government-mandated levy that all electricity customers in Ireland must pay to support renewable energy and indigenous fuel generation.

When searching for the cheapest pay as you go electricity, it's important to compare all these charges, not just the unit rate.

A provider with a low unit rate might have a high standing or service charge, which could negate any potential savings, especially for low-usage households.

Learn More About PAYG ElectricityPAYG Electricity

Who Has the Cheapest Pay As You Go Electricity?

As of September 2025, the cheapest pay as you go electricity in Ireland is PrepayPower with an estimated annual bill of €1,853.06 including VAT.

While PAYG electricity offers customers the benefit of controlling how much they spend, they are often much more expensive than standard electricity plans.

The table below outlines the current cheapest PAYG offers from Irish electricity suppliers:

As of September 2025, the cheapest PAYG electricity provider is PrepayPower for €1,853.07 a year.

**💰 Cheapest Prepayment Electricity Offer per Supplier**
Supplier	Best Offer	Price per year
	Standard	€1,853.07
	Smarter Prepay Electricity	€1,883.93
	Standard	€2,043.98
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*Figures are for illustrative purposes only. Calculations based on average consumption figures for an urban home with a PAYG meter. All discounts and cashback have been applied.
Last updated: September 2025

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Is PAYG Electricity Cheaper Than Metered Electricity?

In general, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) electricity is more expensive than a traditional metered electricity plan.

This is due to a prepayment service charge that is added on top of the usual unit rate and standing charge to cover the cost of the prepayment meter and system.

While the upfront control over spending is a significant benefit for many, the higher overall cost means that PAYG plans are often not the cheapest option for the same amount of electricity usage:

PAYG vs Metered Electricity Comparison
Feature	Traditional Metered (Bill-Pay)	Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG)	Why It's Cheaper/More Expensive
Unit Rate (c/kWh)	Often includes significant discounts for new customers or for paying by direct debit.	Typically higher and less likely to offer large discounts.	Suppliers offer lower unit rates on bill-pay plans to attract and retain customers over a contract period, with the expectation of predictable payments. PAYG rates are often a standard, non-discounted rate.
Standing Charge	A fixed daily or annual charge that all customers pay.	A fixed daily or annual charge that all customers pay.	The standing charge is the same for both meter types with many suppliers, but can sometimes be slightly higher for PAYG plans.
Additional Charges	No extra charges beyond the unit rate, standing charge, and PSO Levy.	Includes a specific "Prepayment Service Charge" or daily meter fee.	This is the main reason PAYG is more expensive. This fee covers the cost of the prepayment meter, its installation, and the ongoing maintenance of the service. It can add over €100 to a customer's annual bill.
Payment Method	Monthly or bi-monthly bills, often paid by Direct Debit.	Top-up as you go, either online, via an app, or at a physical outlet.	Suppliers favour the predictable income of Direct Debit and pass on the savings in the form of discounts. The infrastructure required for PAYG top-ups adds a cost that is passed on to the customer.
Budgeting Control	Less direct control; bills are a total sum of past usage.	Complete control; you see credit being deducted in real-time.	The key benefit of PAYG is the ability to actively manage your spending and energy usage, which can lead to behavioural changes that result in savings, even if the unit price is higher.

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Cheapest Electricity Ireland

Which Suppliers Offer Pay As You Go Electricity?

While many energy suppliers in Ireland offer a range of bill-pay plans, the PAYG electricity market is dominated by a few key players.

The main providers of pay-as-you-go electricity in Ireland are:

PrepayPower

As one of the most established and dedicated PAYG providers in the country, PrepayPower is a well-known name.

They offer a straightforward pay-as-you-go model that allows customers to top up credit through their app, online, or at Payzone outlets.

Pricing: PrepayPower's pricing includes a unit rate, a standing charge, and a specific prepayment service charge. The combination of these charges determines the overall cost. While their unit rates may not always be the lowest on the market compared to some bill-pay plans, they are often competitive within the PAYG sector.
Features: A major selling point for PrepayPower is their mobile app and in-home display. These tools give customers a clear, real-time view of their energy usage and spending.
Considerations: Some customers have raised concerns about the overall cost of their service charges, arguing that they can add up, especially for those who are not high-volume users.

Pinergy

Pinergy is the other dedicated pay-as-you-go provider with a strong emphasis on smart energy and sustainability.

They are known for providing 100% renewable electricity and focusing on technology that helps customers actively reduce their consumption.

Pricing: Pinergy's tariffs also consist of a unit rate, standing charge, and service charge. They often position themselves as a premium service due to their focus on smart technology and green energy. While their unit rates can be slightly higher than some competitors.
Features: Pinergy's main value proposition is its smart meter technology and user-friendly app, which provides detailed insights into energy usage, helping customers identify where they can make savings. They also offer auto-top-up features to ensure a continuous supply.
Considerations: As with PrepayPower, the overall cost, particularly the combination of various charges, is a key consideration. Their focus on technology may also be less appealing to customers who prefer a simpler, no-frills approach.

Electric Ireland

Electric Ireland, a major player in the Irish energy market, also offers a pay-as-you-go option for customers with smart meters.

Unlike the dedicated PAYG providers, this is an alternative tariff on a traditional supplier's account.

Pricing: Electric Ireland's Smart Pay As You Go plan is designed to offer the convenience of PAYG with the backing of a large, established provider. It includes a unit rate, standing charge, and a service charge.
Features: The service works with the national smart meter rollout, allowing for a seamless transition for customers who already have a smart meter. Top-ups can be managed online, via the app, or at Payzone and PostPoint outlets.
Considerations: As a relatively new offering, it is important to compare its rates directly with those of dedicated PAYG providers like PrepayPower and Pinergy. It provides an alternative for existing Electric Ireland customers who wish to move to a PAYG model without switching supplier.

What Happens If I Run Out of Credit?

One of the most common concerns for new PAYG customers is the risk of running out of credit. Thankfully, all providers offer an emergency credit feature to ensure you are not left without power.

When your credit runs low, your meter will alert you with a warning sound. You can then activate a small amount of emergency credit (typically €5-€10) to give you time to top up.

This emergency credit will be deducted from your next top-up.

It is also important to know that suppliers are legally required to provide a "safe period" during which they cannot disconnect your supply. This typically includes:

Weekends
Public holidays
Specific hours on weekdays (e.g., after 4 pm)

How Do I Switch to a Pay As You Go Electricity Provider?

Switching to a pay-as-you-go electricity provider in Ireland is a straightforward process, and in most cases, your new provider will handle the details for you.

Here is a general step-by-step guide on how it works:

Choose Your Provider: First, decide which pay-as-you-go electricity provider you want to switch to. Compare their rates (unit rate, standing charge, and any prepayment service fees) to ensure you are getting the best value for your needs.
Gather Your Information: To start the switch, you'll need some key details, which you can typically find on a recent electricity bill. These include:
1. Your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN).
2. Your contact details.
3. Current address and eircode.
Initiate the Switch: Contact your chosen new provider, either online through their website, over the phone, or by completing a sign-up form. Provide them with your MPRN and other required details.
The Provider Handles the Rest: Your new provider will contact your current supplier and the network operator (ESB Networks) to manage the switch. They will arrange for the installation of a new prepayment meter if one is not already in place, or a smart meter if you are switching to a smart PAYG plan.
Installation and Activation: A technician will be scheduled to visit your home to install the new meter. Once the installation is complete, the new provider's system will be activated, and you can begin topping up and using your electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Final Bill and Refund: Your old provider will send you a final bill for any electricity used up to the switch date. If you had any credit remaining on your old account, your previous supplier should refund this to you.

How Do I Switch Electricity Provider?

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How to Switch From a Pay As You Go Meter?

If you decide that PAYG is no longer the right option for you, switching to a traditional bill-pay plan is also a simple process.

The steps are similar to switching providers:

Choose a New Bill-Pay Provider: Research and select a bill-pay plan that suits your needs. The market for bill-pay plans is much wider, so you will have more options to choose from, including significant discounts.
Initiate the Switch: Contact your new provider and provide your details and MPRN.
Meter Replacement: Your new provider will arrange with ESB Networks to have your prepayment meter removed and replaced with a standard meter. There may be a small charge for this, but your new provider may cover it as part of a welcome offer.
Final Bills: Settle your final bill with your PAYG provider and begin receiving bimonthly bills from your new supplier.

Who Should Use Pay As You Go Electricity?

Determining if PAYG is the right choice for you depends on your personal financial habits and priorities.

It’s a great option for:

Individuals who need strict control over their budget and want to avoid unexpected bills.
Households who want to actively monitor and reduce their energy consumption.
Renters or those who move frequently, as it avoids the hassle of setting up a new billing account.
Anyone with a poor or no credit history.

It may not be the best option for:

Households primarily focused on getting the lowest possible annual cost.
Those who prefer the convenience of monthly Direct Debit and a single, less-frequent bill.

Learn More About Energy Saving Our energy guide articles contain lots of useful information on saving energy, the electricity market and having a more positive impact on the environment.