The chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) says an immediate reduction of 20% in energy costs is needed to help businesses to pull through the economic downturn.
Mr Power was addressing delegates at the IHF's annual conference in Killarney today.
He said that while the IHF welcomed recent announcements on greater competition within the energy market, it called on the Government to take a more active role in reducing energy prices by forcing 20% cuts in the tariffs charged by the ESB and Bord Gáis.
'We are calling on the Government to empower the Commission for Energy Regulation to reduce prices charged by both the ESB and Bord Gáis by 20% across the board,' he said.
Mr Power said the hospitality sector spent around €150m a year on energy, representing more than 10% of operating costs of most hotels and guesthouses.
