There has been a big drop in the number of electricity customers in arrears, according to Electric Ireland.

The retail arm of the ESB says it has seen "a significant turnaround" in the number of customers in serious arrears since 2011.

Jim Dollard, executive director of Electric Ireland, told a conference in Croke Park that the number of customer payment plans for those in arrears had dropped by one-third between 2011 and 2013.

He also told the 'Energy Action' conference that the rate of disconnections for non-payment is expected to be significantly reduced by the end of 2014.

He said the company would also be focusing on how best to deal with those who are still struggling.

"For us early engagement is essential and we work hand in hand with MABS and the Society of St Vincent de Paul to proactively communicate with customers who are having problems paying their bills," he said.

"Disconnection for non-payment is an absolutely last resort and only customers who don't engage with us run the risk of disconnection."

"Between 2011 and 2014 the level of disconnections by Electric Ireland fell consistently. We are forecasting our disconnection rate for non-payment of accounts to drop to 30 per 10,000 customers by year’s end," he added.

The conference also heard that 'pay as you go' customers use 11% less energy than those on credit meters.

The chief operating officer of Bord Gais Energy, Dave Kirwan, told delegates that the firm had installed 50,000 pay as you go gas meters for customers in financial hardship - and another 7,000 electricity meters.