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 2025-27
The CRU's mission is to protect the public interest in Water, Energy and Energy Safety.
Our eight strategic priorities for 2025-27 will ensure we focus on delivering in the public interest.
These priorities are as follows;
Support Transition to Net Zero
- Accelerate delivery of network infrastructure for net zero
- Facilitate deployment and integration of low carbon technologies
- Increase the flexibility of the energy system.
Enable Efficient and Competitive Energy Markets
- Ensure processes and structures of energy markets are delivering competition
- Ensure frameworks and policies are aligned with EU requirements and re-integration
- Incentivise efficient generation capacity and enhanced flexibility capability.
Enable Resilient Critical National Infrastructure
- Advance a secure, decarbonisation-ready gas system
- Deliver reliable decarbonised electricity infrastructure and system
- Establish CRU as a competent authority in cyber security and infrastructure resilience
- Act cohesively in Security of Supply and resilience across our utility sectors and roles.
Ensure Efficient Investment in Infrastructure Delivery
- Enhance regulatory frameworks to deliver energy infrastructure at pace
- Enable efficient and sustainable transition of Ireland’s gas network
- Support a whole-of-system approach to electricity and gas network planning and delivery.
Protect the Public in Energy Safety
- Drive compliance with safety regulation
- Implement expanded Gas Safety Framework and enhance public awareness of gas safety risks
- Oversee the effective operation of the RGI and Safe Electric schemes
- Support net zero through ongoing safety engagement.
Effective Economic Regulation of Water Services
- Enable efficient investment for secure, sustainable, and resilient water and wastewater
- Incentivise delivery of high-quality water and wastewater services
- Deliver robust consumer protection and compliance framework.
Empower and Protect All Customers
- Transform customer protection framework to reflect a dynamically changing market
- Inform and empower customers to take actions that will benefit them as part of the energy transition
- Protect customers and ensure their voice is reflected in CRU policy development, implementation, and enforcement
- Build trust and understanding through meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
Enhance Teams, Capabilities and Governance Standards
- Transform our organisation to embrace and adapt to future change
- Foster excellence while maintaining operational stability
- Facilitate good governance and robust decision making
- Grow ‘One CRU’ with a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and openness.
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 2025-2027 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 Climate, Energy and the Environment 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.