The news that ESB Networks is to increase their electricity charges by 8% from July is hardly a surprise given they have not sought to raise domestic bills in four years. Ireland still has a large reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity. Although around 40% of it now comes from renewable sources, wind and solar, the rest is largely generated by burning gas and oil. These fuels are often volatile in price and most of them have to be imported. Other countries with cheaper electricity rely far more on nuclear energy or have better developed renewable energy infrastructure. Many countries that have cheaper energy than Ireland are well advanced in nuclear development: but we are unlikely to see such a change any decade soon.
