Ireland’s first Flexibility Needs Assessment – In-Person Workshop

The CRU published Ireland’s first Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA) on the 24th of August 2026. The report provides a forward-looking assessment of the flexibility needs anticipated across Ireland’s electricity system and networks.

The CRU, in collaboration with EirGrid and ESB Networks are holding an Industry workshop on the 20th of October 2026, to give an overview of this report and its key findings.

The FNA assesses Ireland’s anticipated flexibility needs for 2028 and 2030 at system, transmission and distribution levels. The assessment followed the common European methodology for national FNAs (Flexibility needs assessment methodology 2025) approved by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

The assessment, prepared by the CRU in collaboration with EirGrid and ESB Networks, finds that flexibility will play a critical role in helping Ireland accommodate higher levels of renewable generation while maintaining a secure and reliable electricity system.

The report also finds that flexibility will be essential to supporting Ireland's transition to a low-carbon electricity system by maximising the use of renewable energy, reducing pressure on the network and maintaining a secure power supply.

The FNA finds that many future flexibility needs are likely to occur over longer periods rather than short peak events, increasing the importance of longer-duration flexibility solutions.

The report also considers the different forms of flexibility that could contribute to addressing these needs and identifies market, regulatory and operational barriers that may affect the delivery of flexibility.

Flexibility resources are expected to help address these identified needs. However, they will need to be considered alongside market, operational and network measures, and it may not be economic or efficient to meet all identified needs in full.

The FNA therefore does not prescribe a particular technology, commercial model or procurement route.

A key next step is the setting of an indicative national objective for non-fossil flexibility in 2027, as required under European legislation.

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is responsible for setting this objective. The FNA will form part of the evidence base considered by the Department, and so the CRU expects to continue working with EirGrid and ESB Networks to develop the supporting analysis and evidence base and to support the Department in setting the objective.

The FNA provides an evidence base to support future flexibility policy, regulation and electricity system planning. It forms part of Ireland’s wider work to increase electricity system flexibility, including under the National Energy Demand Strategy, and should be read alongside the associated Demand Flexibility Forecast Report 2026.

To facilitate this engagement, the CRU, along with EirGrid and ESBN, is hosting an in-person Workshop for Tuesday 20th October 2026, 10am – 2pm.

Within the Workshop, the CRU will provide an overview of the Flexibility Needs Assessment, identified regulatory and market barriers and the report’s alignment with the National Energy Demand Strategy. EirGrid and ESB Networks will provide stakeholders details on the System, Transmission and Distribution Flexibility Needs and the Options to Fill the Identified Needs. The engagement will also provide opportunity for questions and clarifications on how flexibility will support Ireland’s clean energy transition and the key role that will be played by a mix of storage and smart technologies, services and market arrangements to ensure consumers benefit from a secure, efficient and renewable electricity system. The objective of the workshop is to provide an appropriate forum to explain process and results as well as get industry feedback on the implications of the FNA.

Timing:

Date: 10:00 – 14:00, Tuesday 20th October 2026

Venue: Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 R2T2

Cost: Free of charge

Register here: FNA Industry Workshop Registration Link

For any queries or question, email flexibility@cru.ie.