The consultation
Purpose of the consultation and summary of what was sought.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) invited submissions from stakeholders to aid preparation of the Strategic Plan 2025-2027.
The consultation sought feedback to inform CRU’s priorities and objectives across themes including security of supply, the transition to net zero, customer protection, energy safety, effective economic regulation of water services and infrastructure investment. Stakeholders were invited to contribute perspectives on challenges, opportunities and areas where regulatory action would have the greatest impact.
Submissions formed an important part of the evidence base used to shape and refine the final Strategic Plan for submission to the Minister.
Your views and suggestions
Summary of the feedback received during the consultation.
Stakeholders provided a broad and constructive range of insights during the consultation particularly the importance of maintaining secure, resilient and affordable energy and water supplies while accelerating the transition to a low‑carbon economy. The need for enhanced transparency, clearer customer information, and ongoing engagement to support households and businesses was also emphasized.
Feedback highlighted the value of strong regulatory oversight, particularly in areas such as infrastructure delivery, grid integration of renewables, gas network evolution, water service investment, and consumer protection frameworks. Respondents also reinforced the need for robust safety regulation, effective market functioning, and the development of regulatory processes that are agile, future‑focused and aligned with EU requirements.
Contributors supported continued organisational development within the CRU, including the strengthening of analytical capability, improved digitalisation, and consistent communication with stakeholders. These views informed the shaping of priorities and expected outcomes in the final Strategic Plan.
Outcomes
How consultation feedback influenced the final Strategy
Stakeholder views played a central role in shaping the CRU Strategic Plan 2025–2027. The final Plan reflects the common themes that emerged throughout the consultation, specifically to:
- Support the transition to net zero through enhanced network planning, system flexibility and low‑carbon infrastructure.
- Ensure the resilience and security of Ireland’s electricity, gas and water systems.
- Strengthen customer protections, improve accessibility of CRU services, and ensure the customer voice is embedded in policy development.
- Advance energy safety, regulatory oversight and public awareness.
- Deliver efficient economic regulation across water services.
- Enable efficient investment and whole‑of‑system planning for both electricity and gas networks.
- Build CRU’s organisational capability, governance standards and culture of openness, inclusion and excellence.
These priorities and their associated objectives were refined and validated using the feedback received. The final Strategic Plan has now been published and will guide the CRU’s work programme for the period 2025–2027.
Please find below the published final CRU Strategic Plan 2025–2027, along with the Irish‑language publication: