The ESB yesterday promised to pay between €35 and €65 to domestic customers and up to €130 to business customers if it failed to deliver on new service guarantees.
In future, customers without electricity at home for more than 24 hours can claim €65 and an extra €35 for every additional 12 hours without power.
Customer payments will also be made in the case of failure to meet commitments relating to planned supply interruptions, meter connections, connection quotations, new connections, voltage problems and settlement by Elcom, the independent complaints arbitrator.
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources made the announcement of the new customer charter for ESB Networks.
Mr Ahern said it demonstrated the company's continued commitment to its customers, and the crucial role it played in national competitiveness. A copy of the charter, which is available in English, Irish, Braille and on tape, is being delivered to all 1.6 million customers by An Post.
ESB Networks, a branch of the ESB, deals specifically with the electricity transmission and distribution network via which all suppliers and generators in the new competitive market can provide electricity to customers.
The Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, welcomed the charter. She said that ESB Networks was providing a good model for other companies to follow by having written guarantees and an independent arbitrator.
"The ESB have had customer charters before, but now that competition has entered the energy supply market they have had to sharpen up their act," she said.
Mr Alan Cooke of Energia, the first independent company to supply electricity in the deregulated market, also welcomed the new guarantees.
ESB Networks, an independent branch of the ESB, deals specifically with the electricity transmission and distribution network via which all suppliers and generators in the new competitive market can provide electricity to customers.
The dates for completion of the ESB's major infrastructure renewal programme are being brought forward. Its low-voltage system now scheduled for completion in 2008 rather than 2010.