Thousands angry as first €150 energy credit delayed to New Year

THOUSANDS of energy customers must wait until the new year before the first electricity credit is applied to their bills.

Three energy credits totaling €450, or €150 each, were announced in Budget 2024 to help households facing high electricity bills due to inflation.

However there is anger among householders as this credit has shown up on their accounts but not been applied to their bills.

According to Electric Ireland, the first €150 credit will be applied to bills issued after the credit's application.

"Any bills issued prior to the credit being applied are due to be paid in full and the credit will be applied to the next bill," they said in response to customer queries on social media.

"As with all suppliers, the date a customer receives their credit depends on the date that their respective supplier normally sends them their bill," the company went on to say in a statement.

Many consumers have voiced their displeasure with the situation, as December can be one of the most expensive months of the year for energy bills.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) who oversee the credits scheme, said issues around when the credits were applied to customers electricity bills were affecting all suppliers.

In a statement they said the payment periods had been set out by government legislation, but that the credit may not appear on a bill during those periods as it is dependent on the billing cycle of each customer.