What We Do
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator. Our work impacts Irish homes and businesses ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for all customers.
The CRU was established in 1999 and operates within a policy and statutory framework set by Government and has responsibility for economic regulation and customer protection in the energy and water sectors and regulation of energy safety.
We are responsible for
Regulating energy and water for a changing climate
Regulation of energy and water underpins Irish economic competitiveness, investment and growth, while also contributing to our international obligations to address climate change.
The CRU’s role in energy is to maintain security of supply, ensure efficient network delivery and promote competition and innovation in the generation and supply of electricity and supply of natural gas.
As part of this role, the CRU jointly regulates the all-island wholesale Single Electricity Market with its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Utility Regulator.
As economic regulator for public water and wastewater services, the CRU sets targets and monitors the performance of Uisce Éireann in delivering services and investment in infrastructure in a cost-efficient manner.
Protecting energy and water customers
The CRU works to protect energy and water customers, especially the vulnerable. Setting the quality of service standards in energy and water while enabling competition and innovation ensures customers are treated fairly and are at the heart of the transition to a low carbon future.
We provide customers with information about their rights and also offer a dispute resolution service to deal with issues that customers have not been able to resolve with their energy company or Uisce Éireann.
The CRU also promotes customer protection and engagement through targeted communications campaigns which inform customers on how to get the best value and service from utility companies and participate actively in decarbonisation and water conservation.
Energy safety regulation
The CRU has a key role in protecting public safety and the prevention of major accidents in Ireland’s energy sector. This includes safety regulation of gas (networks, supply, storage, use and liquefied petroleum gas distribution), petroleum (upstream (onshore and offshore) exploration and production of hydrocarbons) and gas installers and electrical contractors. Our public safety remit also includes ensuring electrical contractors and gas installers operate to relevant national standards to protect life and property as well as promoting customer awareness of safety.
Our vision, mission and values determine the way we work and what we prioritise.
Strategic Priorities 2022-24
The CRU's mission is to protect the public interest in Water, Energy and Energy Safety.
Our four strategic priorities for 2022-24 will ensure we focus on delivering in the public interest.
These priorities are as follows;
To Ensure security of supply
- Ensure sustainable and secure energy networks and supplies.
- Provide effective regulation that supports competitive and efficient energy markets. Empower and protect customers.
- Deliver secure, high-quality water and waste water services.
To Drive a Low Carbon Future
- Design and implement regulatory frameworks that deliver transformational change.
- Enable high levels of renewable integration through market design and development.
- Ensure markets enable participation in the transition by all customers.
To Empower and protect customers
- Engage and protect customers ensuring their voice is heard and reflected in the work of the CRU.
- Strengthen communications to improve awareness of customer rights, safety, and the sectors we regulate.
- Implement compliance frameworks and develop incentives for the benefit of customers and safety of the general public from energy safety risks
- Provide trusted advice to policy makers and stakeholders and advocate for necessary policy changes.
To Enable our people and organisational capacity
- Deploy organisation design and workforce planning frameworks to enable a flexible and agile CRU resource model.
- Empower our people with the knowledge, skills and supports to work strategically, collaboratively and achieve personal and professional development.
- Enable our staff with best-in-class digital technologies to meet expectations of a more digitally skilled public and stakeholder.
- Implement best practice governance and processes to support the work of the CRU.
Annual Report
The CRU publishes an Annual Report outlining our key achievements each year in delivering on our mission to protect the public interest in water, energy and energy safety.
Work Plan
The CRU’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 will be accompanied by an implementation plan which sets out actions to achieve priorities and objectives within defined timelines. The plan will form part of the CRU’s Work Plan which is submitted to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage annually.
Code of Conduct
The CRU's Code of Conduct details the standards required of all employees when at work. Our Code of Conduct reflects a commitment to excellence and high-quality public service which strives to maintain high levels of performance and personal responsibility.