Deregulation

Since 2000, EU member states have gradually opened up their electricity markets to competition (EU Directive 96/92/EC; 2003/54/EC; 2009/72/EC refer).

In February 2000, the Republic of Ireland electricity market was opened by 30 per cent, allowing customers using 4 gigawatt hours or more of power per year to choose their own supplier.

That initial figure represented approximately 400 of the largest electricity customers. In subsequent years, up to 1600 customers became eligible to purchase power in the independent market.

Full market opening took place 2005. The electricity market is also fully open for green and CHP suppliers.

However, the Commission for Energy Regulation continued to regulate electricity tariffs for customers supplied by Electric Ireland.

Arising from the Roadmap to Deregulation (CER10/058), published by the CER in April 2010, the regulation of price plans for business customers supplied by Electric Ireland changed on 1st October 2010. This allows Electric Ireland to set its prices in the same manner as all other suppliers.

Arising from the same Roadmap to Deregulation the Commission for Energy Regulation no longer regulates and approves residential tariffs of Electric Ireland with effect from April 2011. This allows Electric Ireland to set its prices in the same manner as all other suppliers.