Energy Bills and Grid Investment Top of the Agenda as European Regulators Meet in Dublin During Ireland’s EU Presidency

The issues facing electricity customers will be at the centre of discussions as 26 European Union national regulatory authorities meet in Dublin during Ireland’s EU Presidency to develop shared responses to common energy challenges. 

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy are meeting in Croke Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Rising electricity demand, growing pressure on the grid and the transition to renewable electricity mean energy regulators must prioritise protecting customers while ensuring energy supplies remain secure, reliable and affordable. 

For electricity customers, these discussions are about how regulation can deliver clearer bills, remove barriers to switching supplier, improve price-comparison tools and provide greater transparency around charges. In addition, the meetings will include discussions on creating more resilient and reliable electricity networks through increased investment to keep pace with changing energy needs. 

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, will address delegates during the event, highlighting the importance of European cooperation in strengthening energy security, supporting the transition to renewable electricity and addressing the affordability challenges facing citizens across Europe. 

A key focus of discussions will be European grid reforms, including progress on the European Grids Package and network charges legislation. These reforms aim to unlock investment to expand and modernise Europe’s electricity grids, reduce congestion, support more renewable generation and help maintain reliable electricity supplies for customers. 

In Ireland, the need for grid investment is directly linked to customers’ future energy needs. Electricity demand is forecast to grow by around 45% over the next decade, while renewable generation is expected to expand significantly to help deliver 80% renewable electricity by 2030. 

ACER and CEER are expected to approve reports aimed at strengthening customer protections across Europe. Recommendations from the reports are intended to help customers better understand their options, compare offers with confidence and engage with new tariffs, technologies and services as electricity markets continue to change. In Ireland, more than 2 million smart meters have now been installed, supporting new services that give customers more ways to manage their electricity use and costs. 

For households and businesses in Ireland, these discussions are closely linked to everyday energy concerns. Stronger customer protections can help households make informed choices, while modernised grids and more transparent network costs can support investment, business certainty and long-term reliability. 

Commenting on the meetings, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien said:

“Ireland shares the view of the European Commission that the only lasting way out of fossil dependency is to modernise by shifting electricity generation to renewables and clean energy, and by electrifying the economy as rapidly as possible. Europe needs to build an energy system that is affordable, competitive and resilient, anchored in electrification. This is a priority of the Energy Council during the Irish Presidency. This is where the work of The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators and national regulatory authorities becomes particularly important. Investment in grids and other energy infrastructure will be substantial. We must ensure that investment happens quickly, but also efficiently.” 

Welcoming delegates to Dublin, CRU Commissioner Jim Gannon said:

“As demand grows and the needs of the electricity system increase, regulation has an important role in protecting customers while enabling the investment needed in modern electricity networks.  

The issues that matter most to customers are affordable electricity bills, clearer information, stronger customer protections, and the investment needed to build a sustainable electricity system for the future. This is an opportunity for the CRU, along with its EU regulatory colleagues, to address these shared challenges and help ensure the transition to green energy is delivered in a way that is practical and fair.” 

This week’s meetings support Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities on secure, affordable and sustainable energy. The regulatory role is important in developing coordinated approaches to these challenges, and the roles of ACER and CEER are vital to this cooperation across Europe.