Cheapest electricity supplier

A relation will shortly be moving into rural apt with smart meter. ESB networks are unable to say if meter is activated. So the query is what company has the cheapest electricity?
With Bonkers you have to compare to the old bill. But this guy is just starting out. So nothing to compare ? Would like cheaper evening rates as works days but if non smart rates are better then can stay with old billing system. There is no day/ night option on the meter as there is gas in the apt.
Any ideas ?

The cheapest rates are the cheapest rates. Bonkers and the other comparison sites allow you to compare overall costs to a national average and that's a pretty good starting point. A number of providers are now offering 24hr rates on 'smart' plans that might suit heavy daytime users, but if they're away at work most of the time one of the time of day rates will most likely be best.

Everyone's experience will be different. For me, the best non-smart rate worked out around 7% cheaper than the best 24hr rate, and I work from home 80% of the time.

Kilowatt.ie lets you compare based on estimated usage, no need to have an old bill.

January25 said:

ESB networks are unable to say if meter is activated.

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The MCC code on the bill will clarify.
If it's MCC01 (24 hour tariff) or MCC02 ("Nightsaver" day/night tariff) then it hasn't been activated for smart tariffs (MCC12 or MCC16).

Whatever MCC code it's on it should be possible to access and download smart meter data via ESB Networks:
And then upload it to Kilowatt.ie or Energypal.ie to see what plans might be suitable for prior usage patterns.
https://kilowatt.ie Kilowatt.ie doesn't seem to be working for me right now.
These two sites are much better than Bonkers and Switcher lately in my experience.

In your friend's case where he may not have access to historical smart meter data he'll just have to make an estimate of his usage patterns and amounts when shopping for the most suitable/economical plan for his needs.

January25 said:

There is no day/ night option on the meter as there is gas in the apt.

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This doesn't make sense. Having gas doesn't preclude the possibility of a day/night electricity meter or a smart meter in MCC02 mode. Gas and electricity meters are complete separate entities.

With gas heating, being out during the day, and by the sounds of things single person, the usage will probably be small. In light of that if it were me I would not get too het up about which supplier at moment. After a year when record is there to judge the market I would be inclined to do download from https://www.energypal.ie/ and look around carefully then.