On top of that, we have some of the highest energy costs in Europe. Irish energy prices are already amongst the highest in Europe. Researchers have admitted that limited data constrains our understanding of energy costs, but there is no doubt among consumers that prices are higher than they need to be. Global gas prices remain crucial to the whole picture and while more renewables coming on stream will certainly impact on energy costs here, it seems we are still a prisoner to fortune. We obviously need a greater understanding of the many variables which combine to set energy prices here and more data to fuel that understanding.

Source: Irish Examiner December 23, 2025 01:23 UTC