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You sure can! Whether you are a household, community, business, public or private building user, if you currently buy electricity anywhere in the Republic of Ireland, you can switch and buy your electricity from Community Power.
You can switch in 3 simple steps. Click here to get started.
Meter
There are three main types of electricity meters in use as per the ESB Networks –
- Mechanical revolving disc meters
- Electronic meters
- Pay as You Go meters
If you’re not sure what kind of meter you have, please read on.
What type of meter do I have?
To identify the type of meter you have, look at the descriptions below. To find out how to read your meter, select the relevant option.
Mechanical Meter
This meter is the most common type of meter in domestic dwellings. It has a revolving disc and one row of numbers. There are two different types – 24 Hr Revolving Disc Meter and Time of Day Meter.
Business customers may have a Wattless Meter installed. The Wattless meter is distinguished from Standard Meters or Day & Night Meters by the letters kVArh located near its register and is read in the same way.
Electronic Meter
For most commercial and some industrial premises, Non Quarter Hourly (NQH) metering is used. Many of these meters have electronic registers with one electronic meter display capable of scrolling through multiple register readings. Larger customers may also have additional current transformers. Electronic meters are also installed in some domestic premises.
Pay As You Go Meter
Your electricity supplier may arrange for a Pay as You Go meter to be installed at your premises. Each Pay as You Go meter has two elements, a customer keypad and an ESB Networks main meter.
It is important to note that even if you have a Pay as You Go meter, a meter reader will still call to read the main meter.
Click Here for More Information
Safety Tip
Please be careful when reading your meter, especially if it is up high or in an inaccessible place.
Smart Meters
A Smart Meter will enable the move to a low-carbon electricity network, the development of smart grids and support the electrification of heat and transport, local renewable generation and micro generation. ‘It will also eliminate the need for estimated bills. The ESB Networks with the roll-out of the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP) involves replacing all existing electricity meters with Smart Enabled Meters. The roll out programme will be delivered in a phased approach, commencing with an initial delivery of 250,000 meters in 2019 – 2020 (they are in Cork, Laois, Kildare, Dublin, Cavan. Donegal, Waterford, Galway and many more to come) and approximately 500,000 meters in each of the 4 subsequent years.
Ireland’s smart meter upgrade programme will ensure that customers and businesses are provided with the next generation of electricity meters that are being rolled out across Europe and internationally. This new technology will replace older meters and will make available new products and services bringing benefits to Irish consumers, the environment and the economy. Smart meters will make the supplier switching process easier and empower consumers to make a more informed choice for their energy needs.
You can read more about the smart meter roll out here.
ESB networks are replacing your meters to smart meters
Micro-generation
Micro generation describes the production of electricity using small renewable generators. It is typically associated with installations in domestic or small business properties, like rooftop solar panels or small hydro or wind turbines. Micro generators produce less than 5.75 kW (single phase connection to the house) or 11 kW (3 phase connection to the house) of electrical power.
Micro generators can ‘spill’ power onto the grid, at times when power is being produced but not all the power is being used on site. For example, solar pv panels on a school over a sunny weekend or holiday period. To measure the amount of ‘spill’ from a micro generator, a Smart Meter must be installed by ESB Networks.
Please see our separate FAQ for Micro-generation.
Customers who own a micro-generator such as solar PV array, micro-wind, micro-hydro or renewable micro-CHP are eligible for this scheme.
For a homeowner, you will need to check your meter type.
For homes with a Smart Meter, you will be required to complete and submit an NC6 form to ESBN. This form can be downloaded directly from ESBN Website. This is often completed by your system installer.
For homes with a 24-Hour Legacy Meter or a Day/Night Legacy Meter installed, if you are an existing Microgeneration customer you will continue to receive your deemed estimate Microgen credit until you receive a Smart Meter.
If you do not currently have a Smart Meter and want to become a microgeneration customer after the 11th of September 2023, your microgeneration credit will begin after your Smart Meter is installed.
If a customer has refused or refuses the installation of a Smart Meter and now wants to avail of the scheme, they must request the installation of a Smart Meter. This can be done through Community Power or ESBN.
Deemed Export vs Actual Export – Your CTF (Comms Technical Feasible) will determine how accurately your Smart Meter can be read. If you have a strong signal, you will receive Actual Export. If you have a weak signal ESBN will provide Deemed Export, this is estimated export based off ESBN calculations.
**All above requirements must be met by the homeowner to be eligible**
To be eligible for micro-generation payments, ESB Networks will first need to be notified of your microgeneration installation.
ESB networks will then begin to record your data and what you are exporting to the grid.
This is done by completing an NC6 form. This form would have been completed with your technician at the time of installation.
However, if you’re not sure if the NC6 form has been completed and submitted, please contact ESB Networks on 1800 372 757 – Download a NC6 Microgeneration Form here. You will need your installation company to complete this form.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland.
It will allow any excess electricity that is being produced in your home to be exported to the national grid and receive payment.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) will be available to both new and existing micro- and small-scale generators up to 50kW, subject to the eligibility criteria established by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The type of export depends of the type of meter you have installed at home. If you have a smart meter installed then it has a Metered Export type which means the actual energy that is generated, is measured and payment is made.
All other types of meters have a Deemed Export. This type of export assumes that the majority of the electricity you generate is being used at home.
This calculation has been decided by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with government oversight. There is no mechanism to change this amount except for the installation of a smart meter to record actual consumption and therefore the surplus generated.
Your energy provider has no role in determining this export value.
The calculation of the deemed export is based on the following factors and has been set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The following formula determines the Deemed Export Quantity:
Deemed Export Quantity
MEC x Capacity Factor x Export Factor x Provision Interval MEC
See NC6 form which the customer is required to submit to ESBN – Download a NC6 Microgeneration Form here.
Capacity Factor
This is a calculation from the CRU and is set at 9.7%
Export Factor
This is a calculation from the CRU and is set at 35%
Provisional interval
This is a calculation for solar installations that takes account of how microgeneration works in practice during the day and from season to season.
A smart meter is required to be eligible for actual metered exports.
An NC6 form must be completed and filed with ESBN. This is usually completed by your system installer.
For homes with a 24-Hour Legacy Meter or a Day/Night Legacy Meter installed, if you are an existing Microgeneration customer you will continue to receive your deemed estimate Microgen credit until you receive a Smart Meter.
If you do not currently have a Smart Meter and want to become a microgeneration customer after the 11th of September 2023, your microgeneration credit will begin after your Smart Meter is installed.
If a customer has refused or refuses the installation of a smart meter and now wants to avail of the scheme, they must request the installation of a smart meter, this can be done through Community Power or ESBN.
If you have registered as a Microgeneration customer and have a smart meter installed you can read your total export of electricity by doing the following;
Press the left blue button on your smart meter 7 times until you see A- being displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen. This will display the Kilowatt hours (KWh’s) of energy you have exported to the grid.
Community Power has set a rate of 20 cent per kWh produced effective from 1st July 2023
Billing
DUoS stands for Distribution Use of System. A DUoS charge is a fee that ESB Networks charges Community Power for use of the Electricity Distribution System. Community Power will pass this on to you in your Electricity Bill.
The amount of DUoS that ESB Networks charges Community Power for each customer depends on which DUoS Group a customer is classified as, which can be based on several factors including the voltage a premises is connected at, the type of meter installed, or if electricity is exported.
DUoS Group Name Description
DG1 Urban Domestic Customers
DG2 Rural Domestic Customers
DG3 Unmetered Public Lighting
DG4 Other Unmetered Connections
DG5 Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Customers
DG5A Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Exporters)
DG5B Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Importers)
DG6 Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Customers
DG6A Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Exporters)
DG6B Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Importers).
EAB means the Estimated Annual Bill. It is a way for customers to be able to compare and contrast tariffs between electricity suppliers. It is designed based on the CRU’s (Customer Regulatory Organisation of Ireland) typical annual consumption figures for electricity. This is 4,200 kWh of electricity per annum. This is used as a guideline for the customer.
(Unit Rate x CRU typical annual electricity consumption value) + (Standing Charge + Service Charge + PSO) X 365 days
1st March 2024
This package of allowances is in regards to the costs of running your household. The package is available to everyone aged over 70 and to people under age 70 in certain circumstances.
If you change your electricity supplier, it is your responsibility to notify the Department of this change. You must provide proof of your new energy provider (utility bill in your name) from the change date.
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) .
We will bill you monthly by direct debit. We can send your bill via email or post. When you sign up it will ask for your preference.
Payment will be processed and taken from your account 14 days after your bill issue date.
When you want to close your account or are moving to a new house, you need to take the following steps:
Step 1. You will need to give us notice by phone, email or post.
Step 2. The closure notice must include the following: – Your name and MPRN number (see top of latest Bill) – A closing meter reading – Forwarding address so we can send you your final bill.
We will only accept a termination notice from the authorised account holder or the nominated representative that we have on record. If you cannot provide a final reading you will be final billed based on an estimated reading provided to us, by ESB Networks Ireland.
In the unlikely event that you don’t inform us that you are moving out you will be held responsible for any energy used up to the date the meter is disconnected for vacancy or a new customer moves into the premises. We will pursue unpaid debts using our debt collection procedures. All unpaid debts will be subject to our normal debt collection procedures.
We may withhold supplying energy or opening an account with us in your name until all outstanding debt is paid. You may not be able to open a new account in a new premise with us until all your outstanding debt is paid. Unpaid debts may be transferred to a new account and this will depend on individual circumstances.
Step 3. Once we have a final reading and a forwarding address, we will issue you with your final bill no later than six weeks from the effective date of the change of supplier or account closure taking place.
Your final bill will include information about any credit due to you. We will refund any credit owing to you, either directly into your bank or if you require a cheque payment, please contact us on 067 56005. We will make any credit payment to you within 2 months of your final bill date.
Fuel Mix Explanation
Energy suppliers all have to confirm the “greenness” of their energy in our fuel mix disclosures. Many of those who have 100% have been verified through purchasing green energy certificates (Guarantee of Origin – GOO) from green energy generated anywhere from here to Europe. Our focus is on building and supporting Irish owned green generation and credentials as opposed to offsetting international renewable generation .
We support IRISH generated renewable energy through community energy projects, some of which will be coming on stream in the next year to two years. We have worked hard to push community green energy generation to the front of the queue. Once our community owned solar farms are completed, we aim to undertake the Green Source Verification of our fuel mix which will show a higher percentage of renewable energy sources – and you can be confident it will be renewable electricity generated in Ireland.
The following table displays the Community Power fuel fix (ROI Residual fuel mix) for year January 2022 to December 2022.
Our goal is to generate Irish community owned renewable energy as opposed to offsetting international renewable generation to improve our Fuel Mix credentials.
If an actual meter reading is submitted to Community Power on the 30th or 31st of a calendar month then the ‘Actual’ KW usage amount will be reflected on your Invoice and billed accordingly (Note: not applicable to smart meters, where ESBN does not accept customer reads).
In all other circumstances you will receive an ‘E’ for estimated reading. If a meter reading is submitted mid-month then this reading is applied to your account and a daily KW usage estimate, based on your annual usage (provided by ESBN), is added to this actual read for the remaining days in any given calendar month. As a result, the calculated estimate for any monthly Billing Period where a reading has been submitted before the 30th/31st of the month is based on ESBN reading data and should accurately reflect your usage for the full calendar month.
We suggest and encourage all our customers who do not have a Smart Meter to submit a reading monthly on the 30th or 31st of the month to ensure accurate billing for your usage. If you have any queries in relation to your bill please email admin@communitypower.ie.
Generating
Electricity Networks & Regulations
The CRU has a statutory responsibility to protection energy consumers. One way the CRU discharges this responsibility is through the Electricity and Gas Suppliers’ Handbook. The Handbook acts as the ‘rulebook’ for suppliers with regard to all interactions with energy customers. The Handbook is a mix of principles and rules which all suppliers must adhere to.
The Handbook is split into a number of codes of practice for issues such as billing, disconnections, complaint handling, vulnerable customers, etc. The Handbook also contains a number of codes for non-household customers which suppliers must also comply with providing protections for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
The CRU manages the Handbook and conducts reviews to take account of developments in the energy market. The most recent review of the Handbook was conducted in 2016/17 and was subject to a number of rounds of public consultation and engagement with industry and consumer interest groups.
The MPRN is an 11 digit number which can be found at the top of an electricity bill or can be gotten by a landlord or by phoning the ESBN. It is a unique number that is specific to a property. This number is required for any general enquiry and also if your are switching suppliers.
ESBN ensures that electricity gets to homes and businesses of our 2.3million electricity customers, safely and efficiently. They have invested billions in the electricity network over the last 10 years so communities and businesses can grow and develop. https://www.esbnetworks.ie/
ESB Networks continues to operate normally however we are taking precautions like remote working so we may not be able to respond to your query as quickly as possible. We are asking our customers to use the various digital platforms as the first point of contact for routine services and general enquiries:
- To report a power outage click https://www.esbnetworks.ie/apps/faultlogging
- If you have a power outage, you can check for an estimated restoration time here https://www.esb.ie/esb-networks/powercheck/
- To apply for a New Connection click here https://www.esbnetworks.ie/new-connections
- To track a New Connection click here https://www.esbnetworks.ie/new-connections
- To send in a meter reading: Phone 1800 337 777 (021 2386444) OR click https://www.esbnetworks.ie/existing-connection/meters-readings/submit-a-meter-reading OR email: reading@esb.ie ; OR TEXT your reading to 087 960 9223 in the format: MPRN (space), Reading.
- For general enquires : phone 1800 372 757 (021 2386555) OR Email esbnetworks@esb.ie (open 8.30am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday excluding public holidays).
- For Smart Metering queries: phone 1800 928 123 (01 6985005) Monday-Friday 8.30am – 6pm, excluding public holidays.
- We are also available on Twitter @esbnetworks and Facebook: @ESBNetworks
- For more information and further safety information you can check our website www.esbnetworks.ie
For Faults and Emergencies call 1800 372 999, OR 021 2382410 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week).
Vulnerable Customers
Please note, if you are registering as a vulnerable customer, we reserve the right to ask for medical certification to confirm.
If you have any questions, please phone 067 56005