Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

Karen Kavanagh, CRU Director of Networks & Economic Regulation, will be speaking about Decarbonising Ireland’s gas network and market at this year's Energy Ireland Irish Renewable Gas Conference. The conference will look at developments in the gas sector and investigate potential options for decarbonising Ireland’s natural gas infrastructure. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eXXQ6795

In our first newsletter for 2025, we round up our latest publications, consultations and events over the last few months. This includes, our Annual Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions Report and our recent decision on the Price Control 5 (PC5) Regulatory Framework. Find out more below or on our website www.cru.ie.

We are recruiting for the following positions: 🔸Senior Communications Executive The successful candidate will support the development and delivery of consumer and corporate communications campaigns across a range of platforms. 🔸Head of Function (Infrastructure, Energy Safety) The individual will provide expert advice and support to the CRU in its role as safety regulator of a transforming energy sector. You can find out more about our current vacancies on our website here: bit.ly/3lKy2fJ #jobfairy

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The CRU is inviting applications for the permanent senior management role of Head of Function (Infrastructure, Energy Safety) from qualified, experienced individuals. This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic management and lead continual improvement of key CRU energy safety functions. The individual will provide expert advice and support to the CRU in its role as safety regulator of a transforming energy sector.   Salary scale: €106,818 - €126,600. Closing Date: 12.00 pm, 24th January 2025. Apply at www.cru.ie.

2024 was another busy year for the CRU, as we issued decisions, launched our new consultation platform, expanded our staff numbers and presented at several events to showcase our work. Read some of our highlights below: - We published our newsletter, to provide updates on our work in regulating energy and water for a changing climate and protecting energy and water customers. You can subscribe or read previous issues here: https://lnkd.in/ehVmnZUU - The next steps for the implementation of our National Energy Demand Strategy were published. The actions outlined demonstrate our commitment to facilitating a more reliable, sustainable, and efficient energy system, while also minimising costs for energy customers. https://lnkd.in/e_vzQq7u                 - We issued a decision on the ESB Networks DAC Demand Flexibility Product Procurement Recommendation. In this decision, we approved ESB Networks recommendation to procure up to 500 MW of medium-term flexibility products. https://lnkd.in/emqTgZEy - We published a decision on Dynamic Electricity Price Tariffs. We decided that a 12-month timeline should be sufficient for suppliers to develop and test all the necessary billing systems, applications and customer protection measures. https://lnkd.in/ev9uJmCd. - Our new electricity generation and system services connection policy will provide six-monthly application deadlines, through EirGrid Group and ESB Networks, for processing renewable generation connection offers and for technologies that support renewable electricity. https://lnkd.in/ee6cryUv. Thank you to all our staff for your hard work and commitment during the year. We wish all our staff and followers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We published a decision on the Price Control 5 (PC5) Regulatory Framework Implementation. The CRU approves the revenues that Gas Networks Ireland Ireland (GNI) can collect from its customers and these revenues are set every five years in a process called a ‘price control’. In 2023, the CRU published a paper setting out its decision regarding the regulatory framework for the PC5 period. The paper included changes aimed at ensuring that GNI has sufficient flexibility to adapt to the challenges of PC5 and to incentivise behaviours which are in the interest of the customer. The proposals were structured around three core pillars, planning and governance, periodic reporting and uncertainty mechanisms and incentives. Following engagement with GNI, the CRU published a consultation paper requesting feedback from the public on its proposals for the implementation of changes to the framework. A discussion of consultation feedback and any resulting changes to the proposals consulted upon by the CRU are set out in the paper. Taking those changes into account, detailed guidance for implementing the regulatory framework is published alongside this paper in the Price Control 5 User Guide. The finalised PC5 regulatory framework includes ten incentives, a package of three uncertainty mechanisms, and ten associated reports. You can find both documents on our website here: https://lnkd.in/edQs_xJf

We have published our Annual Report on the Gas Security of Supply for 2024. Ireland is in the process of transitioning to an electricity system with high-renewable penetration, backed up by flexible gas-fired generation. The report sets out the legislative actions taken by the CRU, and the additional actions undertaken in relation to gas security of supply in Ireland. The CRU’s role involves ensuring sustainable and secure energy networks and supplies, providing effective regulation that supports competitive and efficient energy markets and empowering and protecting customers. Learn more below or on our website here: https://lnkd.in/etc4FJrf

We have published information papers on the Annual Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions Report 2023 and the Green Source Product Verification Report for 2023. These papers set out the 2023 fuel mix disclosure and CO2 emission intensities for suppliers licensed in Ireland and operating in the All-Island Single Electricity Market (SEM). The Green Source Product Verification Report 2023 report presents information on the result of the annual verification process of an electricity supplier in Ireland offering “Green Source Products”. Find out more below or on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gx-g5U-Z

We are #hiring for a Senior Communications Executive. The successful candidate will support the development and delivery of consumer and corporate communications campaigns across a range of platforms. Closing date: 12.00 pm, Monday, 13th January 2025. Apply here: http://bit.ly/3lKy2fJ