Most Irish business owners glance at the total, wince, and pay. But your electricity bill contains a dozen line items, each driven by different factors — and errors on any one of them can cost you hundreds or thousands of euros per year. Billing issues are the number one complaint category with the CRU, Ireland's energy regulator. If you don't understand what you're paying for, you can't spot when you're paying too much.
Here's a plain-English breakdown of every charge on your business electricity bill.
Unit rates: what you pay per kilowatt-hour
The unit rate is the cost per kWh of electricity you actually use. It's the biggest variable on your bill and the number most people focus on when comparing suppliers.
For Irish businesses in 2025, unit rates typically range from 15 to 35 c/kWh depending on your consumption volume, meter type, and contract terms. SMEs on standard contracts usually pay 25–28 c/kWh during the day and 14.5–17.5 c/kWh at night. Larger businesses with negotiated contracts pay less — around 20–23 c/kWh during the day.
Your bill will show separate day and night rates if you have a day/night meter. Some larger meters also have a peak rate (typically 17:00–19:00) that's higher than the standard day rate. Check which rate applies to most of your consumption — if your business runs primarily during the day, the day rate matters most.
The unit rate includes both the wholesale energy cost (roughly 10–12 c/kWh) and the supplier's margin. The wholesale component is broadly similar across suppliers; the margin is where competition happens.
Standing charges: the cost of being connected
The standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay regardless of how much electricity you use. It covers your share of ESB Networks' distribution infrastructure and the supplier's own administration costs.
For small businesses on DG5 meters (non-maximum demand), standing charges run approximately €0.35–€1.00 per day — that's €128–€365 per year before you've used a single unit. Larger businesses on DG6 meters (maximum demand) face €3.28–€6.50 per day, adding €1,197–€2,373 annually in fixed costs alone.
Standing charges vary significantly between suppliers, and many businesses overlook them when comparing deals. A supplier offering a slightly lower unit rate but a higher standing charge can end up costing you more overall. Always compare on total annual cost.
DUoS charges: the distribution fee that catches businesses out
DUoS — Distribution Use of System — charges fund ESB Networks' distribution infrastructure. They're set by the CRU each October and passed through on your bill by your supplier.
Your DUoS band determines how much you pay. The key bands for businesses are:
- DG5 (Low Voltage Non-Domestic, Non-Maximum Demand): Standing charge of €141.55/year, unit rate of 6.5 c/kWh (24hr) or 7.6 c/kWh day / 0.9 c/kWh night
- DG6 (Low Voltage Non-Domestic, Maximum Demand): Standing charge of €1,320.36/year, plus €49.28 per kVA of MIC per year, with lower unit rates of 3.9 c/kWh day / 0.5 c/kWh night
- DG7 and above: Medium and high voltage connections with progressively lower unit rates but higher fixed charges
MIC: the capacity charge you might be overpaying
MIC — Maximum Import Capacity — is the maximum electrical demand in kVA that ESB Networks will deliver to your premises. It affects your DUoS capacity charges, your PSO levy, and your DUoS band assignment.
Here's the problem: if your business inherited a previous tenant's MIC setting, or if you've downsized operations without requesting a reduction, you're paying for capacity you don't use. The capacity charge at DG6 is €49.28 per kVA per year. A business with MIC set at 200 kVA but actual maximum demand of only 80 kVA overpays by roughly €5,914 per year in unnecessary capacity charges alone — plus excess PSO levy charges on top.
If your actual demand exceeds your MIC, you face excess capacity penalties of 5–6 times the normal rate. So the setting needs to be right, not just low. Changing your MIC requires an NC3 form submission to ESB Networks.
PSO levy: funding Ireland's renewable energy
The PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy funds renewable energy generation in Ireland through the REFIT and RESS schemes. It's calculated based on your MIC level.
Small businesses with MIC under 30 kVA currently pay approximately €5.65 per month. Medium and large businesses pay €0.70 per kVA of MIC per month — so a business with 200 kVA MIC faces PSO charges of around €1,680 per year. The levy changes annually, and it has swung dramatically in recent years, so check that the correct rate is being applied on your bill.
Meter readings: estimated vs actual
Your bill is based on meter readings, but not all readings are equal. ESB Networks targets four actual reads and two estimated reads per year for standard meters. Readings on your bill are marked:
- A — Actual reading (ESB Networks read the meter)
- E — Estimated reading (calculated based on historical usage)
- C — Customer-submitted reading
Submit your own readings regularly if your meter isn't being read. Most suppliers accept customer readings through their online portal.
Your MPRN: the number that identifies everything
Your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is the unique 11-digit number assigned to your premises. It appears on every bill, never changes regardless of supplier, and is the key identifier you need for switching, getting quotes, or resolving disputes. Keep it to hand.
How to spot errors on your bill
Armed with this knowledge, here's what to check: Is your DUoS group (DG number) correct for your connection? Is your MIC set appropriately for your actual demand? Are your readings actual or estimated? Is the current PSO levy rate being applied? Are your unit rates matching what's in your contract?
If anything looks wrong — or if you just want a second opinion — send us your bill. We'll review it for free and tell you exactly what you should be paying.