The move by PrepayPower will benefit its 240,000 customers.
Earlier this month, Electric Ireland said it was freezing its electricity prices for its 1.1 million customers and cutting gas prices in the coming months.
However, a string of companies are hiking prices. More than one million households will be affected by price rises this month, with Energia, Bord Gáis Energy and Pinergy raising their prices.
SSE Airtricity is also increasing its electricity prices this month, its second hike this year. Flogas raised electricity prices in August.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said recently he believed there could be a “degree of price gouging by energy companies in the market”.
A string of energy companies are hiking prices in the coming weeks
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – October 1st
Energia is raising its electricity unit rates by 13.5pc from October 9, and also hiking its standing charge. This will affect around 300,000 customers, adding €200 to their annual bills.
Bord Gáis Energy is increasing its electricity unit rates by 13.5pc and its standing charges by 12pc from October 12. This will affect around 370,000 customers, adding €218 to their annual bills.
SSE Airtricity’s 460,000 customers will be hit with a 9.5pc rise in electricity prices from October 20. This will add €150 to their average annual bills.
Pinergy is to hit its 28,000 customers with a rise of close to 10pc, from October 13. This will add €199 to the typical annual bill.
However, PrepayPower, Ireland’s largest pay-as-you-go electricity and gas provider, has announced a price freeze for electricity and gas customers for the winter months.
The company has 240,000 customer accounts comprising 180,000 electricity and 60,000 gas accounts.
PrepayPower provides pay-as-you-go services that enable customers to top up regularly in small amounts.
We want to give our customers certainty that we will not increase prices before March
Chief executive of PrepayPower, Cathal Fay, said the company has taken the decision to freeze prices in light of the cost-of-living pressures facing its customers.
“As we head into the winter, we want to give our customers certainty that we will not increase prices before March of next year at the earliest,” he said.
PrepayPower has decreased prices twice since the start of 2023, and has not had any increases in that period.
The Government has ruled out paying energy credits in next week’s budget. Last year, households got two payments totalling €250.
Commercial director at price comparison site Switcher.ie, Eoin Clarke, said the rise in energy bills means many households face a challenging winter.
“Autumn price rises, coupled with the likely end of the Vat cut for energy bills and universal electricity credits, could spell hard times for Irish households,” he said.
Mr Clarke said simple changes around the home can reduce energy use and save money. Cutting shower time and using your appliances wisely could reduce energy bills, he said.