Small- and medium-sized enterprises, which have had to close in Galway during the Covid-19 pandemic will have their energy bills slashed in the coming months.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action, and Environment has announced that no energy or network charges will be applied in respect of business premises that had to temporarily close.
The initiative is the result of an agreement reached between the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, along with Eirgrid, ESB Networks, and Gas Networks Ireland. Businesses wishing to avail of the relief can contact their suppliers directly. The scheme will run from May 1 for a maximum of 90 days.
The move has been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway West TD, Hildegarde Naughton. “Our economy is effectively on life support until we can emerge from this crisis, and we have to ensure that businesses pull through the emergency and are as well-placed as possible to restart when the opportunity arises,” she said.
The CRU has indicated it will continue to monitor the utilities market and will take further action to protect customers where appropriate. Further information regarding concerns about utility bills can be accessed on the CRU website.
