More customers switched energy supplier in 2014, according to the latest report by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).

The CER Annual Electricity and Gas Retail Market Report 2014 highlights the positive impacts of continued strong competition for domestic consumers in Ireland.

In total, 14% of all electricity consumers and 17% of all gas consumers switched supplier in Ireland in 2014, one of the highest switching rates in Europe.

The Market Report also highlights that fewer energy consumers were disconnected for not paying their bills last year, with domestic disconnections reduced by 29% in electricity and 35% in gas compared to 2013.

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The CER Consumer Survey shows that:

• Consumers are highly satisfied with the switching process, which is free, fast and simple, although some consumers are still reluctant to switch for trust reasons;

• A relatively high percentage of consumers - 58% in electricity and 47% in gas -

stay with their new supplier for more than 12 months after they have switched. This may see consumers rolling onto a more standard expensive tariff than otherwise would be the case;

• Many consumers are not well informed about their rights and protections in the energy market, such as the right to complain to the CER, and the option to register as a vulnerable consumer and avail of the additional protections that this brings.

CER Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly, said: "The CER is encouraged by the strong competition in energy supply and by the reduction in disconnections for non-payment of bills. We encourage all energy consumers to consider regularly switching, or at least asking their current supplier if a better tariff is available, as there are savings to be had. To further assist the public, the CER will this year be producing easy guides to switching and we are pursuing policies to help ensure that consumers fully benefit from competition."

(CD)