Power Savings - Government Acts On Commitment To Keep Electricity Costs Down

On 25 May 2012, the Irish Government terminated the carbon levy legislation with immediate effect, so that the price of electricity to customers would not increase due to the levy.

This termination followed a February 2012 decision of the Irish Supreme Court, by a three-two majority, which would have allowed electricity companies to pass on the new carbon levy resulting in an increase in the price of electricity to customers.

In 2010, the Irish Government imposed a carbon levy on the generation of electricity from fossil fuels. The purpose of the legislation was said to be an attempt by the government to recover revenues received by electricity generators from free carbon allowances.