Minister Urges Home Retrofits and Provider Switching to Counter Energy Price Hikes
Friday 11 September 2026
Energy Minister Darragh O’Brien has advised the public to utilise state retrofitting schemes to permanently lower household energy bills.
Energy Minister Darragh O’Brien has urged the public to retrofit their homes or switch utility providers to mitigate rising electricity and gas costs.
In an interview on Today FM's *The Last Word with Matt Cooper*, the Minister defended the energy regulator's efforts to protect consumers amidst ongoing price hikes.
The comments follow price increase announcements from Bord Gáis, which price comparison website Bonkers.ie estimated would add €177 to the average annual household electricity bill and €140 to the gas bill.
Addressing potential budget interventions, the Minister stated that the government would not be able to mitigate every energy price increase. Instead, he emphasised the necessity of continuing to invest in the national grid and accelerating the delivery of renewable energy.
To lower utility bills permanently, the Minister recommended home retrofitting as a key measure to reduce overall energy consumption. He encouraged the public to utilise state reimbursement schemes, stating that these measures could save participants up to €1,600 annually.