Electricity network operator ESB Networks has apologised to households and businesses after a system issue caused some smart meter readings to be processed incorrectly, leading to unusually high electricity costs appearing on customer accounts.
The company said it is working to correct the problem after numerous customers reported dramatic spikes in energy usage on their smart meters last week. Some customers said their accounts showed charges running into hundreds or even thousands of euros for a single day.
In a statement, ESB Networks said the issue was caused by a planned software upgrade to one of its internal systems carried out last Friday. The upgrade led to some meter readings being processed incorrectly, which resulted in inaccurate electricity usage figures being displayed on online accounts used by both ESB Networks and electricity suppliers.
The company acknowledged that the error caused concern among customers and said steps were being taken to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.
“ESB Networks apologises for the confusion and concern this may have caused,” the company said. “We are reviewing our processes to ensure that this does not occur in the future.”
Reports of unusual charges began circulating online after customers shared screenshots of their smart meter data from March 6 and March 7. Many described the figures as “impossible” and “wild,” saying the recorded usage was far beyond their normal electricity consumption.
One customer who uses Bord Gáis said his meter recorded 4.18 kilowatts of electricity usage on March 5, costing €1.83. The following day, the account showed a cost of €738 despite no major change in electricity use.
Another person said their meter displayed electricity consumption of 7,000 kilowatts in a single day, with a charge of about €2,500.
Customers who contacted their electricity suppliers said they were told the issue was already known and that technical teams were working to resolve it. Many were also informed that no action was required on their part while the issue was being investigated.
ESB Networks confirmed that the problem is linked to its internal systems and not to the smart meters themselves or the actual electricity consumed by households.
“The issue is an internal software problem and is not related to the integrity of smart meters or the recorded energy use,” the company said. “We are in the process of identifying and resolving the issue in our systems and will systematically correct all affected data.”
The company also reassured customers that once the problem is fixed, metering data will be automatically adjusted to reflect actual electricity usage.
Smart meters have been introduced across Ireland in recent years to give households more detailed information about their electricity consumption. ESB Networks estimates that around two million smart meters are now installed across the country.
The company said customers do not need to take any action while the corrections are being made and that updates will be provided as the issue is resolved.
