The ESB has confirmed it anticipates electricity prices rising by 10-20% next year.
The semi-State organisation has blamed higher fuel prices for the increase.
In the past year, the price of oil and gas, from which much of Ireland's electricity is generated, has soared.
The ESB's Chairman, Tadhg O'Donoghue, said the price increase to consumers is likely to be 10-20% and the final decision on how much prices will rise will be made by the energy regulator later this year.
Next year's rise comes after an increase of 3% for 2006, 4% for 2005 and 14% for 2004.
At present the average price of a bill is €123 every two months.
A price rise of 10% to 20% will push that up by €12 to €24.
