Electricity Usage Calculator

Electricity Usage calculator

How do you compare on your electricity usage vs the average Irish Dairy Farm?
My Electricity Usage

To complete this table gather electricity bills for a recent 12 month period, ideally January to December, but any 12 month period will suffice. Complete the form below from the data contained on the various bills. It is very important the readings at the start and end of the period are 'actual' (a) readings and not 'estimated' (e)
Start date
Date of period used for evaluation
End date
Date of period used for evaluation
Opening Day Rate (meter reading)
Insert the meter reading for the start of the 12 mth period
Opening Night Rate (meter reading)
Insert the meter reading for the start of the 12 mth period
Closing Day Rate (meter reading)
Insert the meter reading for the end of the 12 mth period
Closing Night Rate (meter reading)
Insert the meter reading for the end of the 12 mth period
Meter Multiplier
What is a meter multiplier?
A multiplier converts the meter reading into kilowatt (kWh) units. Meter multipliers are put onto your meter by ESB Networks to prolong the life of the meter installed in your premises. For example, if there is a multiplier of 20 on your meter and the register goes up by 5 units, your bill will show that you have consumed 100 units of electricity. Check you bill to see what your meter multiplier is.
Total Day Rate Usage (kWh)
Total Night Rate Usage (kWh)
% Night Rate Usage
Electricity Used (kWh)
Total electricity costs (€) for the 12 month period, from bill
exclude standing charges, VAT and PSO levy
Milk Production for same period
Litres milk sold over same period
Average Number of Cows milked
e.g. 100
Is there a house sharing the same ESB meter?

We need to make an allowance for any electricity used by a house sharing the same meter. We estimate the usage by the house to be 1300 kWh/person. We also assume that the amount of night rate usage is the same in the house as on the farm.
What size household shares the same meter as the farm. Average number of people living in the house over the period. Leave blank if there is no house.
number of people living in the house
Total farm electricity used
Percentage of electricity used by the farm is.
Total electricity cost (from bill)
Electricity used per litre of milk
Average 40 Wh/L
Electricity used per cow
Avg. 250kW/cow/year
Electricity cost per cow
So how do you compare?

In 2019 the average cent per L cost is €5/1000 litres of milk produced. However we have seen this as high as €9/1000 litres and as low as €2.60/1000 litres. Electricity prices are about 30% higher in 2025 so if you are below €6.50/1000 litres here then you are doing ok.
Visit https://messo.mtu.ie/agri-energy. to get more information or use the dairy decision support tool.
Electricity Cost per 1000 L of milk
Average is €6.50/1,000 litres (2025)
Electricity Supplier
example - Electric Ireland
Current day tariff (cent)
example - 20.00c per kWh
Current night tariff (cent)
example - 12.00c per kWh
Average expected Cost per Cow
This is only a guide figure using your electricity tariff
Which of the following do you have on the farm

Night Rate electricityPlate coolerVariable speed milk pumpVariable speed vacuum pumpElectric water heatingOil/Gas Water heatingSolar PanelsHeat recovery
Parlour size - (number of milking units)
Parlour Type
To get a copy of the results emailed to you please complete the details below
Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
County
Please submit your form to help use build a picture of the energy use on dairy farms across the country.
Current day rate
Current night rate
Should be Empty:

Electricity Usage calculator

My Electricity Usage

Milk Production for same period

So how do you compare?