Electric Ireland vs Bord Gáis Energy: Full Comparison
Electric Ireland vs Bord Gáis: Compare prices, plans, and customer service. Find out which supplier is cheaper for your usage.
By SmartSaver Team | Published 1 January 2026 | 8 min read
Topics: electric ireland vs bord gais, compare electricity suppliers ireland, bord gais vs electric ireland
Company Overview
Electric Ireland
Electric Ireland is the retail arm of ESB (Electricity Supply Board). It's the largest electricity supplier in Ireland, serving approximately 1.1 million customers.
- Ownership: ESB Group (state-owned)
- Services: Electricity, gas, dual fuel
- Market share: Approximately 36% of residential electricity
- History: Originally the only electricity supplier before market liberalisation
Bord Gáis Energy
Bord Gáis Energy is owned by Centrica, a British multinational. It's the second-largest energy supplier in Ireland.- Ownership: Centrica (private, UK-based)
- Services: Electricity, gas, dual fuel
- Market share: Approximately 20% of residential electricity
- History: Originally the state gas company, now privatised
Current Prices Compared
Prices change frequently, so these figures are indicative of typical rates. Always check current prices before switching.
Electricity Only (4,200 kWh/year)
| Supplier | Best Deal EAB | Standard Rate EAB | Difference | |----------|--------------|------------------|------------| | Electric Ireland | ~€1,380 | ~€1,650 | €270 | | Bord Gáis Energy | ~€1,350 | ~€1,620 | €270 |
EAB = Estimated Annual Bill. Figures include discounts, cashback, standing charges, PSO levy, and VAT.Gas Only (11,000 kWh/year)
| Supplier | Best Deal EAB | Standard Rate EAB | Difference | |----------|--------------|------------------|------------| | Electric Ireland | ~€1,180 | ~€1,420 | €240 | | Bord Gáis Energy | ~€1,150 | ~€1,380 | €230 |
Dual Fuel (Electricity + Gas)
| Supplier | Best Deal EAB | Standard Rate EAB | |----------|--------------|------------------| | Electric Ireland | ~€2,500 | ~€3,000 | | Bord Gáis Energy | ~€2,440 | ~€2,950 |
Key insight: On standard rates, prices are very similar. The differences come from promotional discounts and cashback offers, which change regularly.Plan Types Compared
Both suppliers offer similar plan structures:
Standard Plans
Basic electricity and/or gas supply at standard rates. No discounts, no frills.
- Electric Ireland: Standard Electricity, Standard Gas
- Bord Gáis Energy: Standard Electricity, Standard Gas
Discounted New Customer Plans
Introductory offers with percentage discounts and/or cashback.
- Electric Ireland: Various "Home Electric" plans with discounts
- Bord Gáis Energy: Various promotional plans with discounts
These typically offer 20-40% off unit rates for the first 12 months.
Smart Meter Plans
Time-of-use tariffs for customers with smart meters.
- Electric Ireland: Home Electric+ (day/night/peak rates)
- Bord Gáis Energy: Smart plans with time-of-use pricing
Dual Fuel Bundles
Combined electricity and gas with a bundle discount.
- Electric Ireland: Dual fuel options with combined discount
- Bord Gáis Energy: Dual fuel bundles with additional savings
Fixed Rate Plans
Lock in prices for a set period (protection against price increases).
- Electric Ireland: Occasionally offers fixed plans
- Bord Gáis Energy: Occasionally offers fixed plans
Fixed plans are less common in Ireland than in other markets.
Discounts and Cashback
Both suppliers use similar promotional structures:
Electric Ireland Typical Offers
- 30-40% off electricity unit rates for 12 months
- Cashback of €100-€200 for new customers
- Online account management discount (small)
- Direct debit discount (small)
Bord Gáis Energy Typical Offers
- 30-40% off electricity unit rates for 12 months
- Cashback of €100-€200 for new customers
- Rewards programme (various perks)
- Direct debit discount (small)
Contract Terms
Contract Length
Both suppliers typically offer 12-month contracts. Month-to-month options exist but usually at higher (undiscounted) rates.
Exit Fees
| Supplier | Typical Exit Fee | |----------|-----------------| | Electric Ireland | €50 | | Bord Gáis Energy | €50 |
Exit fees apply if you leave before your contract ends. After 12 months, you can leave without penalty.
Annual Price Adjustments
Warning: Both suppliers have clauses allowing annual price increases linked to inflation. Bord Gáis and Electric Ireland both implement "Annual Price Adjustments" each April.This means your price after Year 1 may increase by CPI + a fixed percentage (often 3%). Check the terms carefully.
Customer Service Comparison
Electric Ireland
- Phone support: 1850 372 372
- Online account: Yes, including app
- Live chat: Available
- Complaints resolution: Established process
- Trustpilot rating: Mixed reviews
Bord Gáis Energy
- Phone support: 1850 632 632
- Online account: Yes, including app
- Live chat: Available
- Complaints resolution: Established process
- Trustpilot rating: Mixed reviews
Customer service quality is subjective and varies. Both suppliers receive a mix of positive and negative reviews.
What Customers Complain About (Both Suppliers)
- Difficulty reaching phone support
- Confusion over billing after promotional periods
- Price increases upon renewal
- Estimated bills when readings available
- Direct debit amount disputes
What Customers Praise (Both Suppliers)
- Online account management
- Easy switching process
- Smart meter support
- Mobile apps
Smart Meter Tariffs
Both suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs for smart meter customers.
Electric Ireland Home Electric+
- Night rate: Approximately 38% cheaper than day rate
- Peak hours: 5pm-7pm at premium rate
- Best for: EV charging, storage heaters, flexible usage
Bord Gáis Smart Plans
- Night rate: Approximately 40% cheaper than day rate
- Peak hours: Similar to Electric Ireland
- Best for: Same use cases
Check current rates, as these vary and change periodically.
Dual Fuel Considerations
If you use both electricity and gas, bundling with one supplier can simplify billing and may offer small additional discounts.
Reasons to Bundle
- Single bill
- Single customer service contact
- Potential bundle discount (typically €50-€100/year)
- Simpler account management
Reasons Not to Bundle
- Best electricity deal may be with a different supplier than best gas deal
- Separately switching each fuel may yield greater savings
- More flexibility to switch one fuel if needed
For many households, the convenience of dual fuel outweighs the potential savings from optimising each fuel separately.
Microgeneration and Solar
Both suppliers offer export payments for customers with solar panels or other microgeneration.
Electric Ireland Export Rates
Customers with microgeneration can receive payment for exported electricity. Rates vary—check current offerings.
Bord Gáis Export Rates
Similar microgeneration scheme with competitive export rates. Compare both suppliers if you have solar panels.
Which Supplier Is Better?
There's no universal answer. The "better" supplier depends on:
Choose Electric Ireland If:
- Their current promotional offer is better
- You prefer dealing with a state-owned company
- You're already an Electric Ireland customer and they've offered a competitive retention deal
- Their smart meter tariff suits your usage pattern
Choose Bord Gáis Energy If:
- Their current promotional offer is better
- You want to bundle with their gas service
- You value their rewards programme
- Their smart meter tariff suits your usage pattern
The Real Answer
Switch based on current offers, not brand loyalty. The supplier with the best deal today may not have the best deal next year. Check comparison sites regularly and switch every 12 months for the best prices.How to Switch Between Them
Switching from Electric Ireland to Bord Gáis (or vice versa) follows the standard switching process:
The switch typically takes about 21 days.
Summary
Electric Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy are closely matched competitors. On standard rates, prices are very similar. The difference comes from promotional offers, which change regularly.
Key takeaways:- Compare current deals before switching—don't assume one is always cheaper
- Watch for annual price adjustment clauses
- Consider dual fuel for convenience, but calculate whether it's truly cheaper
- Switch every 12 months to access new customer deals
- Smart meter tariffs are available from both suppliers
Ready to compare? Check our energy [comparison tool](/energy/compare) to see current prices from all suppliers including Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy, and their competitors.
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Last updated: January 2026---