The CRU is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator. It is made up of three Commissioners, who are supported by six Directors responsible for the following divisions:<ul><li data-block-key="c1mrj">Operations and Organisational Development</li><li data-block-key="epj89">Networks &amp; Economic Regulation</li><li data-block-key="2n83k">Energy Safety</li><li data-block-key="1j7r3">Security of Supply and Wholesale</li><li data-block-key="dd825">Customer Policy &amp; Protection and Legal</li><li data-block-key="ftbe8">Decarbonisation</li></ul>The teams within these divisions formulate recommendations and options for decision makers, after thorough research, deliberation and, where appropriate, public consultation. These recommendations and options are then reviewed and escalated, through the CRU’s Managers and Directors, to the relevant decision makers with the authority to make policy decisions and approvals.Please see <a href="https://www.cru.ie/about-us/our-team/">Our Team</a> for further information about the divisions of the CRU.The responsibilities of the CRU include:<ul><li data-block-key="3gs4o">Regulating wholesale electricity capacity, system services and energy markets with the objective of ensuring there is a sustainable and secure electricity system.</li><li data-block-key="aahk7">Regulating the activities of the electricity and gas distribution and transmission operators and asset owner, setting allowed revenues and annual tariffs within the appropriate incentive frameworks.</li><li data-block-key="21fu7">Overseeing all aspects of competition, licensing and consumer protection in the energy retail markets in Ireland, including offering a dispute resolution process for consumers.</li><li data-block-key="9tsj4">Regulating gas (networks, supply, storage, use and liquefied petroleum gas distribution), petroleum (upstream onshore and offshore exploration and extraction), gas installers and electrical contractors in regard to safety.</li><li data-block-key="78p0j">Developing and operating regulatory frameworks required to enable the decarbonization of Ireland’s energy sector in line with Government policy.</li><li data-block-key="dcsfk">Developing regulatory frameworks for the offshore renewables, district heating and other new and emerging sectors such as hydrogen.</li></ul>Decision and consultation papers related to the functions outlined above can be found at <a href="https://www.cru.ie/publications/?type=all&amp;category=all&amp;subCategory=all&amp;pageIndex=1&amp;itemsPerPage=10&amp;keyword=">Publications</a>.

Decision making process

Overview of CRU ServicesApart from the founding legislation, the <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1999/act/23/revised/en/html#SEC14">Electricity Regulation Act 1999</a>, the functions and duties of the CRU have been altered and expanded significantly by legislation transposing EU directives into Irish law and the introduction of new primary legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2002/act/10/front/revised/en/html">Gas (Interim Regulation) Act 2002</a>, the <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2006/act/40/front/revised/en/html">Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006</a>, <a href="https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2007/act/5/enacted/en/html">Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Act 2007</a>, the <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2010/act/4/front/revised/en/html">Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2010</a> and the <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2013/act/50/revised/en/html">Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013</a> as amended.Among other matters, this array of legislation has given the CRU powers in relation to the all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM), and safety-related responsibilities in the energy sector.In addition, the CRU has been appointed as Ireland&#x27;s economic regulator of the Irish public water and wastewater sector.<ol><li data-block-key="2t6jf">Electricity</li></ol>The CRU was initially assigned responsibility over the economic regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and its roles and responsibilities have expanded since with new legislation. The CRU&#x27;s economic electricity roles have involved the liberalisation of the electricity generation and retail (supply) markets, with competition now in both market segments, while the networks (wires) are a monopoly which are subject to economic regulation by the CRU.Looking at the different segments of the sector, the electricity generation market is all-island in nature, with the all-island wholesale Single Electricity Market (SEM) in place across the island of Ireland since November 2007. The SEM is regulated by the SEM Committee, consisting of the CRU in Dublin, the Utility Regulator in Belfast and an independent member. Please see <a href="http://www.semcommittee.com/">www.semcommittee.com</a> for more information in relation to the SEM.The CRU has specific functions in relation to electricity generation adequacy and security of supply for Ireland, including that appropriate measures are in place for monitoring, assessing and managing security of supply and taking any necessary actions to protect security of supply. The CRU also must have regard to the need to promote the use of renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of electricity and has duties to take account of the protection of the environment.Turning to the electricity networks, the CRU regulates the allowed revenues/charges for the designated electricity transmission system operator (Eirgird) and distribution system operator (ESB Networks) - in other words the high and low voltage wires/pylons - with the aim of delivering &quot;value for money&quot; for the end customer. The CRU also approves network connection policy and resolves disputes that users may have with respect to connection to and use of the networks.2. GasThe CRU is responsible for the economic regulation of the Irish gas network and the supply of gas to end customers in line with the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, as amended.The gas network is made up of transmission and distribution pipelines, through which natural gas is supplied to homes and business. The transmission pipes operate at high pressures and are used to move large volumes of natural gas. The gas network forms a ring extending through the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.The smaller distribution pipes make up distribution systems and these typically supply urban areas. Each distribution system is connected to the higher pressure transmission system at a pressure reduction station.Gas Networks Ireland is the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Transmission Asset Owner (TAO).The CRU aims to make sure that the gas network in place meets the needs of the Irish gas customer at a reasonable and efficient cost. The CRU sets the tariffs for access to and use of the gas distribution system and transmission system. The tariffs for the gas distribution system are paid by end customers connected to the gas distribution system.The transport of natural gas across the Irish natural gas network is governed by a set of market rules and codes. Shippers bring gas from ‘entry points’ (Moffat in Scotland, Inch and Bellanaboy) to customers&#x27; premises (exit points) in accordance with the rules set out in the GNI Code of Operations.Very large users of natural gas such as power stations are usually connected directly to the transmission network. Other users (including residential users) are usually connected to natural gas via the distribution network. The charges for the cost of the gas transmission system are included in bills for all end customers.3. RetailThe CRU licences competing electricity and gas suppliers to serve customers’ needs and sets a range of licence conditions that are designed to protect customers and promote competition.4. ElectricityThe CRU has overseen the gradual liberalisation of the electricity supply market which culminated in full market opening in February 2005. The regulatory framework created the right environment for competition to develop and since then competition has increased in the business and domestic markets. In 2010, the CRU published its Roadmap to Deregulation, which set out the milestones for the end of price regulation. All business markets were deregulated from 1st October 2010. From April 2011, the domestic (residential) market was deregulated and so all suppliers are free to set their own tariffs.5. ​Gas​The natural gas retail market has been open to full competition since 1st July 2007. Competition began in 2004 with three suppliers competing for the larger industrial and commercial customers. Since then, through active consultation with industry participants and the development of new market processes the number of suppliers has increased with competition increasing in all sectors of the retail market. This has in part been enabled due to the ease with which customers can switch supplier. All natural gas customers are eligible to switch supplier since July 2007.6. SafetyAmong other energy safety responsibilities, the CRU has the statutory function to regulate the activities of electrical contractors and gas installers with respect to safety.The published Criteria Documents set out the detailed rules of the electrical and gas safety supervisory schemes, respectively and the obligations for participants operating within the schemes.In addition, the CRU undertakes enforcement actions into reports of alleged illegal electrical (restricted) works and gas works, as it is an offence to carry out restricted electrical works or gas works while not being registered or to falsely portray oneself to be a Registered Electrical Contractor or Registered Gas Installer.The CRU also has statutory functions to:<ul><li data-block-key="aniht">Regulate the activities of gas (natural gas and LPG) undertakings with respect to safety. This includes gas network operators and natural gas shippers/suppliers and natural gas storage facility operators;</li><li data-block-key="7nnb6">Promote the safety of gas customers and the public with regards to the supply and use of gas, as well as the storage, transmission and distribution of natural gas.</li></ul>7. Petroleum SafetyThe CRU is the safety regulator for upstream (offshore and onshore) petroleum exploration and extraction activities in Ireland. In order for petroleum undertakings, operators and owners to carry out a designated petroleum activity (as set out in S.I. 89 of 2013, <a href="https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/si/89/made/en/print">Petroleum Safety (Designation of Certain Classes of Petroleum Activity) Regulations 2013</a>), the petroleum undertaking must first receive a safety permit from the CRU. The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (the Act), as amended by amongst others, the <a href="https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2010/act/4/front/revised/en/html">Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2010</a> and the <a href="https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/26/enacted/en/html">Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2015</a>, sets out the full breadth of CRU functions and industry responsibilities with respect to upstream petroleum safety.Please see <a href="https://www.cru.ie/regulations-policy/safety/petroleum-safety-framework/">Petroleum Safety</a> for more information in that regard.8. WaterThe Water Services Act, 2013 (No 1 March 2013) expanded the remit of the CRU to include a function to prepare to become the economic regulator for the public water sector. Under this Act the CRU is permitted to advise the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government; (the &quot;Minster&quot;) on matters related to the economic regulation of the public water sector in Ireland. Further legislation including the Water Services Act 2014. 2016, 2017 and 2022 have since been implemented. The 2014 Act enabled the CRU to investigate complaints of customers who have completed UÉ complaints process and are dissatisfied with the outcome. The 2016 Act suspended water charges and the 2017 Act introduced an annual allowance threshold for water charges. The 2022 Act further expanded the CRU’a remit in dispute resolution to now include connection disputes.Please see <a href="https://www.cru.ie/regulations-policy/water/">Water</a> for more information in that regard.9. Customer CareThe CRU has statutory functions under S.I. 463 of 2011 (as amended) and the Water Services Act 2014 (as amended) to act as a single point of contact to provide customers with information about their rights, and to provide a dispute resolution service for customers with unresolved complaints against their energy or water provider. Customers can contact the CRU with queries about their energy or water rights at customercare@cru.ie, on 1800 404 404, or via a query form on our website. More information about how to raise a complaint against an energy or water provider, once a complaint has completed a provider’s full complaints process, can be found at <a href="https://www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-the-cru/">Complain to the CRU | CRU.ie</a>.

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The <a href="https://www.cru.ie/about-us/">Commission for Regulation of Utilities</a> 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.

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