Community Power launched in 2021 as Ireland's first community-owned energy cooperative — a supplier designed to return value to its members rather than external shareholders. In 2026, it remains a distinctive alternative to the mainstream suppliers. This review looks at their tariffs, what membership means in practice, their green credentials, and whether they are genuinely competitive on price.
What Is Community Power?
Community Power is structured as a cooperative: customers become members and, in theory, share in any surplus the business generates. It is backed by a network of Irish community co-operatives and was set up explicitly as an alternative ownership model to the large commercial energy suppliers.
The supplier is electricity-only — they do not offer gas, so dual-fuel households will need a separate gas supplier.
Tariffs in 2026
Community Power currently offers two main electricity tariffs:
Standard (Day/Night) Tariff
- Available to all domestic electricity customers
- Day and night rate structure for customers with smart meters
Green Member Tariff
- Requires membership (a one-off fee or annual contribution)
- Offers access to slightly discounted rates in exchange for the membership commitment
Exact unit rates and standing charges change regularly. Compare Community Power's current tariffs against all Irish suppliers →
Green Credentials
Community Power sources 100% of the electricity it sells from renewable sources, primarily Irish wind. Unlike some suppliers that buy renewable certificates from overseas projects to offset conventional generation, Community Power works with Irish renewable generators and is part of the cooperative network connected to wind farms.
For households where green sourcing is a priority, Community Power is one of a small number of Irish suppliers with transparent, domestically sourced renewable electricity.
Ireland's overall electricity grid is already over 40% renewable in generation terms, meaning even non-green tariffs are delivering significantly lower-carbon electricity than continental European averages. But if you want guaranteed 100% renewable sourcing with Irish provenance, Community Power is a credible choice.
Pricing vs the Market
Community Power's rates are competitive but not always the market's cheapest. Because the cooperative model prioritises sustainability and member ownership over maximum price competitiveness, there are typically lower-cost options available from larger commercial suppliers — particularly those offering large new-customer discounts.
The correct comparison is always total annual cost at your specific usage. Community Power's standing charges and unit rates vary, and the presence or absence of an introductory discount affects the comparison significantly.
Customer Service
Community Power is a smaller supplier than Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, or SSE Airtricity. This cuts both ways: some customers report more personalised service and responsive handling of queries. Others note that the self-service digital infrastructure (app, online account management) is less polished than what the larger suppliers offer.
As of 2026, Community Power handles customer service via phone and email. There is no live chat function and the online account portal has fewer features than the main commercial suppliers' apps.
CRU's annual customer satisfaction surveys have rated Community Power positively for responsiveness relative to its size, though sample sizes for smaller suppliers make these results indicative rather than definitive.
Who Community Power Suits
Community Power is most suited to households who:
- Prioritise Irish renewable sourcing over absolute cheapest price
- Value the cooperative ownership model
- Are electricity-only (no gas requirement)
- Are comfortable with a simpler digital experience in exchange for member ownership
It is less suited to households purely optimising for lowest annual cost, or those who want a feature-rich app and 24/7 digital customer service.
Who It Is Not For
- Gas customers — Community Power does not offer gas
- Price-first customers — larger suppliers with new-customer discounts will often beat them on annual cost, especially in the first 12 months
- Smart meter time-of-use tariff seekers — Community Power's tariff range is narrower than Electric Ireland or SSE Airtricity
The Membership Question
Becoming a Community Power member involves a small financial contribution (typically a one-time payment). This entitles you to vote at general meetings, receive communications about the cooperative's performance, and access member tariff rates.
Whether the membership contribution pays back depends on how long you stay and the tariff differential. For most households, the decision is less about pure economics and more about whether you value the cooperative model and green sourcing.
Verdict
Community Power is a legitimate, well-run alternative to Ireland's mainstream energy suppliers. Its green credentials are genuine and its cooperative ownership is real. On price, it is competitive but not always the cheapest — the right answer depends on your usage, current tariff, and whether you factor in the value of renewable sourcing and member ownership.
For households where sustainability matters and price is not the only criterion, it merits a place in your comparison shortlist.
See Community Power's current rates vs all 7 Irish suppliers →