What is the PSO Levy?
This is the Public Service Obligation levy. This is charged to all electricity customers and relates to the purchase by ESB of electricity generated from renewable, sustainable or alternative forms. The levy is determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The PSO levy has been set at €6.52 ex VAT per month or €78.24 annually from 1st October 2020.

What is the Carbon Charge?
The Natural Gas Carbon Tax of €0.0037 per kWh (ex VAT) or €0.0042 (inc VAT) applies to all gas supplied in Ireland from the 1st May 2012. Certain exemptions may apply. The Carbon Tax is in accordance with the EU Energy Tax Directive and Schedule 1 of the Finance Bill 2010.

Currently, the average Irish household uses 11,000 kWh of gas every year, the carbon tax currently adds around €46.20 to your annual natural gas bill, which amounts to approximately €7.70 on every bi-monthly bill.

Carbon tax is not applied to electricity bills. The PSO levy is applied there.