The company is pushing up electricity unit rates and the standing charge, despite increasing both gas and electricity prices in April.
It comes after Energia, Flogas and Bord Gáis Energy all announced increased electricity prices from next month.
From October 20, SSE Airtricity unit rates for electricity, as well as the standing charge, will each increase by 9.5pc.
This will see a typical electricity customer’s annual bill increase by about €151, in a move that will impact around 250,000 electricity customers.
There is no price change for domestic gas customers.
In April SSE Airtricity hiked electricity bills by 10.5pc, and gas bills by 8.4pc.
Energy bills are on the rise. (Getty)
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 19th
It is blamed rising wholesale energy prices and higher network charges imposed by the energy regulator.
That move saw electricity bills rise by €171 a year for a typical household.
Typical gas customers saw bills go up by €114 a year. It has 85,000 gas customers.
SSE Airtricity claimed it has been shielding its customers from the full impact of the energy crisis.
It said it has delayed the impact of increased network charges introduced last October until earlier this year when the company raised its prices for the first time in three years.
“Following today’s announced price change, SSE Airtricity remains competitive with other electricity suppliers and will continue to provide value for customers,” it said.
Managing director of SSE Airtricity Stephen Gallagher said: “We know this news will be disappointing for customers, increasing our prices is always a last resort.”
The latest price increase is set to pile pressure on the Government to pay energy credits in the Budget.
It has said there will be no universal cost-of-living package in next month’s Budget.
Energy costs have moved centre stage after Bord Gáis Energy, Pinergy, Energia and Flogas said they were increasing electricity prices next month.
Families are due to be hit with annual higher costs of up to €200 for electricity after the Energia move.
Electric Ireland has promised to leave electricity prices unchanged, while it is cutting gas costs for residential customers.
Last year the Government paid €250 in energy credits, with higher amounts paid in the previous two years.
A recent survey found that 57pc of people rank retaining energy credits and extending Vat reductions on energy as their top priority for Budget 2026, according to polling data from Amárach Research for Dublin-based Rockwood Public Affairs.
Daragh Cassidy of price comparison site Bonkers.ie said the SSE Airtricity rise was “sizeable” and will add real pressure to many households already struggling with their bills.
“The small comfort is that gas prices remain unchanged. Over a quarter of gas customers are now in arrears on their bills — a new record high — so the last thing they need is higher prices. And anyone on a fixed tariff with SSE obviously won’t see a change to their bills until their contract comes to an end.”
Mr Cassidy said wholesale gas and electricity prices remain high.
Network charges are also rising, as major investment is needed in the electricity grid in particular over the coming years.
“The regulator is increasing these charges to help cover the cost of all this investment. But we need to ask how much of this should be paid for by consumers in their bills. I think more direct subvention from Government is needed,” Mr Cassidy said.