What Is the Price of Natural Gas in Ireland?

By Cormac Breen

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.

In 2026, natural gas in Ireland costs €0.1371 per kWh and is the fourth most expensive among EU countries. The average annual gas bill in Ireland is €1,571.04 on a standard meter. Natural gas prices in Ireland have risen considerably over the last 5 years due mainly to the energy crisis of 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which triggered huge price increases on the wholesale gas market.

What Are the Current Gas Prices in Ireland?

In 2026, natural gas in Ireland costs €0.1371 per kWh, making Ireland the fourth most expensive country in the EU for gas.

Ireland has seen a huge increase in the price of natural gas over the last 5 years, with the price rising from €0.06 per kWh in 2020 to more than double that price in 2026.

This sustained increase in the cost of energy has put huge pressure on homeowners dealing with the cost of living in Ireland.

Below, you'll find a graph outlining the price evolution of natural gas in Ireland over the last 5 years.

Last Updated: January 2026
Source: Eurostat

Which Provider Has the Best Gas Prices in Ireland?

There are 6 Irish energy providers who offer gas price plans and their estimated annual bills can be compared in the table below:

🔥Cheapest Gas Offer per Supplier

Supplier	Best Offer	Estimated Annual Bill
	Fixed Rate	€1,094.15
	Variable Rate	€1,100.95
	30% Discount	€1,166.17
	20% Discount	€1,252.52
	22% Discount	€1,256.07
	10% off Gas	€1,393.95
	No Discount	€1,562.41
Call Selectra to Switch Energy Supplier Today!   (01) 913 1771 Schedule a Free Call!  Schedule a Free Call

*Figures are for illustrative purposes only. All discounts and cashback have been applied to price. Calculations based on average consumption figures. Average annual bill calculated using a weighted average according to the market share of each supplier. Last updated, December 2025

Are Irish Natural Gas Prices More Expensive than in the EU?

In 2026, Ireland has the fourth most expensive gas prices in the EU, following countries like Sweden where gas prices are €0.2130 per kWh.

Much like Ireland, European gas prices have seen a huge increase since 2020 brought on by global supply chain issues and geopolitical events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Below, you'll find a graph outlining the cost of gas across the 27 EU member states in 2026.

Last Updated: January 2026
Source: Eurostat

Why Is Natural Gas More Expensive in Ireland?

Irish households continue to have high bills and there are several factors that influence this, including:

1. The wholesale cost of gas
2. Taxes and levies
3. Supply and transportation
4. Geopolitical and economic factors

Wholesale Price of Natural Gas

Despite increases in the production of renewable energy, largely down to the expansion and investment in wind energy, Ireland is still dependent on natural gas for heating and for the fuel mix used to power electricity generators for the national grid.

While Ireland has its own source of natural gas in the form of the Corrib Gas Field off the coast of Co. Mayo, its output is in decline. This dependency on the UK via the Scottish interconnectors is increasing as domestic production dwindles.

Given the huge spike in the price of wholesale gas in Europe in 2022, Irish energy suppliers raised their prices significantly, and while wholesale markets have since stabilized, retail prices have been slow to return to pre-crisis levels.

Taxes and Levies

Domestic gas customers are subject to various taxes and levies which raise the cost of gas bills for Irish consumers.

As part of the government's aim to be carbon-neutral by 2050, natural gas is subject to taxes to encourage the transition to renewable energy.

The main taxes and levies you will see on Irish energy bills are:

1. Carbon tax
2. VAT

Following Budget 2026, the Carbon Tax has risen to €71.00 per tonne. This new rate applies to natural gas from May 1st, 2026.

For the average household consuming 11,000 kWh of gas per year, this tax adds approximately €130–€140 a year to the total bill including VAT.

Supply and Transportation

As an island nation, there are extra costs involved in the transportation of natural gas. Ireland imports the majority of its gas from the UK via pipelines from Moffat in Scotland.

The final price paid by the consumer includes distribution costs and network charges, which have seen approved increases in early 2026 to fund grid modernization.

The Celtic Interconnector, which connects Ireland's power grid to mainland Europe (France), helps stabilize the electricity market but gas remains the primary dispatchable fuel for Ireland's generation mix in 2026.

Geopolitical and Economic Factors

Global supply and demand dynamics continue to play a crucial role. With the permanent loss of Russian pipeline gas to Europe since 2025, Ireland now competes in a global LNG market, making local prices susceptible to events in Asia or the US.

Currency exchange rates, particularly between the Euro and Pound Sterling, also continue to affect the cost of imported gas from the UK.

What is the Gas Price Forecast for Ireland?

While wholesale prices have stabilized from their 2022 peaks, Irish customers should not expect a return to pre-2022 levels anytime soon. The future price is largely dictated by two government policies:

1. The Carbon Tax Increases: The government is committed to increasing the Carbon Tax annually until 2030. It rises to €71 per tonne on May 1st 2026, adding roughly €19 to the average annual bill.
2. Reduced VAT Extension: Budget 2026 extended the reduced 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity bills until December 31, 2030. This prevents bills from jumping by a further 4.5%.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) notes that the removal of universal energy credits in the 2025/26 winter budget means the effective cost for households will feel higher this year than last.

How is the Gas Market Regulated in Ireland?

The Irish gas market is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Their key responsibilities in 2026 include:

• Monitoring supplier compliance with service standards and customer protection measures.
• Setting the allowed revenue for Gas Networks Ireland, including new 2026 network tariffs.
• Handling and resolving escalated customer complaints.

What Can I Do To Lower My Natural Gas Bills?

Given that gas prices remain high in Ireland and with universal credits now expired, proactive switching is the best way to lower costs in 2026.

• 🔥 How To Lower Your Gas Bills
• Compare and switch gas providers every 12 months to avoid high standard rates.
• Invest in a heat pump using 2026 SEAI grants which have been expanded to cover more home types.
• Improve the insulation of your home—this remains the most effective way to reduce kWh consumption.
• Invest in solar panels to offset water heating costs.
• Avail of SEAI grants which were maintained in the recent budget.

By Cormac Breen

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.