Irish Gas Customers Hit by Huge Bills After Gas Networks Ireland Meter Reading Error

Dublin: Customers of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) have been left shocked by unusually high gas bills following a technical error involving estimated meter readings. Some customers reportedly received bills several times higher than their usual amounts, although the total number affected has not yet been disclosed.

GNI acknowledged that an error had occurred in some estimated meter readings and apologised to customers for the inconvenience. The company said the issue had been resolved but did not disclose the cause of the technical glitch. The affected readings relate to gas usage between October 9 and 12.

The company said it had notified gas suppliers and temporarily suspended the issuing of new bills while the problem was addressed.

GNI has also contacted gas suppliers and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to correct the inaccurate readings and ensure that the bills of affected customers are amended accordingly.

One customer reported receiving a bill of €665.61 for a period of less than two months, claiming that the amount was approximately three times higher than his usual bill. The unusually large charge came during a period of relatively warm weather, when gas consumption would generally be lower.

The issue has raised concerns among customers who pay their bills by direct debit. In such cases, customers may not realise that an unusually large amount has been charged until the money has already been deducted from their bank accounts.

However, Bord Gáis Energy said no payments had been collected so far from customers affected by the GNI meter-reading error. The supplier apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Energia said a small number of its customers had been affected and confirmed that it had contacted GNI regarding the issue.

Meanwhile, Uno Energies said an initial review found that no incorrect amounts had been debited from customers’ accounts.

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