Senator Shane Ross

Up to 100,000 of the ESB’s small customers are to receive refunds for overcharging following an investigation by the industry watchdog, the energy regulator. The regulator has ordered the ESB to repay all customers who have been overcharged by more than €5 under a flawed and systemic ESB method of charging customers.

As many as 100,000 customers could benefit and that repayments could cost the ESB millions.  Virtually every customer who has been receiving estimated accounts , if they straddle a period of a price increase, has received an inaccurate bill. Thousands of customers have been forced to pay for electricity at increased unit prices when the electricity was used at an earlier time of lower prices.

The ESB will now be compelled to issue revised bills . It will credit all affected customers. Alternatively, they may be able to demand a cheque from the semi-State.

My own brother has now received a cheque for €800 following his initial complaint to the company.