Introduction

The Commission for Energy Regulation has responsibility for regulating the electricity market in the Republic of Ireland. In this market generators produce electricity from a number of fuel sources. Suppliers are responsible for selling electricity to customers and ESB Networks and EirGrid work to ensure that electricity is transported safely, through a network of cables and lines from generation stations to the customers’ premises.

Electricity Generation
Electricity Supply and Competition
Electricity Networks
All Island Market

Electricity Generation

Electricity in Ireland is generated from a number of different sources. The main fuel used to generate electricity is gas, however through a number of different schemes renewable electricity production is on the increase. The chart below shows the breakdown of fuel sources for generation.

Electricity Supply and Competition

The electricity market opened fully to competition on the 19^th of February 2005, this means that new suppliers can now enter the market and compete for business. While competition has developed successfully in the business end of the market, the development of competition is still in the very early stages in the domestic market.  Because of this the Commission continues to regulate the revenue earned and tariffs charged by ESB Customer Supply.

In 2007, the Commission deemed that the market for electricity for Large Energy Users (Industrial) was competitive enough to warrant the removal of its tariff regulation.  It is the Commission's aim to encourage full competition in all parts of the market.

Click here for a list of energy suppliers. 

Electricity Networks

The infrastructure of wires and cables around the country can be divided into the distribution network and the transmission network. The transmission network is used to send electricity from generating stations to main points in the country. The electricity passes into the distribution network at these points. The distribution network then sends electricity supply to customers’ premises.

ESB Networks is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity distribution network in Ireland. It is also responsible for maintaining and developing the transmission network. ESB Networks operates independently from other areas of the ESB and is required to provide services on a non- discriminatory manner to all customers, regardless of their electricity supplier. All customers are entitled to an equal level of service. ESB Networks is the point of contact when a customer wants a connection to the distribution network or if there is an emergency to report.  They also have responsibility for all aspects of metering including meter reading.

EirGrid is responsible for operating and planning the development of the transmission system.

All Island Market

On the 1st of November 2007, the CER launched the Single Electricity Market (SEM) to further enhance competition and create greater choice for customers on the island of Ireland.  This project is a joint initiative run by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) & the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR)

The aim of the project is to create a single market for natural gas and electricity on the island of Ireland. The project was started following a joint policy decision by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to create the all-island energy market.

Further information on the development of the SEM can be found at the website of the all island project (www.allislandproject.org).