Stephen Gallagher
Managing Director, SSE Airtricity
As Ireland reshapes its energy system, affordability must remain a guiding principle for policymakers and industry.
Recent rises in home heating oil and fuel due to global volatility, and Government concerns about safeguarding Irish consumers from price shocks, show that affordability is a very real issue for households across the country.
At the same time, Ireland’s clean energy transition is gathering pace, but for many consumers, the question remains simple: will the future feel fair? Affordability must be at the centre of our national conversation, because the energy transition will only succeed if people can feel the benefits in their daily lives.
A better system delivers better value
At SSE Airtricity, we understand the pressure customers face and the frustration that comes with rising energy bills. Many of the costs behind bills are outside suppliers’ control, from regulated network charges to system operator costs and global wholesale prices, with suppliers accounting for around 10% of a typical bill. That’s why we’re advocating for a cleaner, more secure energy system that unlocks renewable power.
Ireland has made strides in renewable generation, but too often, the system can’t keep pace. EirGrid data shows that in 2025 alone, Ireland lost over 2 million MWh of wind power due to dispatch down, enough to power half a million homes. In other words, wind farms are being instructed to curtail output because the grid is unable to handle it. When clean energy can’t reach the grid, customers lose out.
Ireland’s path to net zero is an opportunity to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system, but it must also be fair.
Ultimately, upgrading grid infrastructure is essential if households and businesses are to really benefit from Ireland’s renewable resources in the long term.
This isn’t just a market issue; it’s a policy one
Decisions on network investment, system charges and market design directly impact what customers pay. As a supplier, we’re committed to working with policymakers and the CRU to ensure the system evolves to support decarbonisation and fairness. A transition that isn’t affordable won’t carry public support and simply won’t work.
Structural reform is essential, and so too is supporting customers. Providing a different kind of energy with practical tools to help consumers manage their energy use, and continued investment in products to empower people to take control of their energy usage.
Ireland’s path to net zero is an opportunity to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system, but it must also be fair.
