Latest news with #CommissionforRegulationofUtilities
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
CRU approves 9.8% hike in water charges for businesses
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has approved a 9.8% increase in water charges for businesses. Industry bodies have expressed concerns about the hike, which will come into effect from the start of October. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said this is just one example of how increased operating costs are undermining the viability of businesses. "Over a two-year period, the average 70-bedroom hotel in Ireland will have seen an increase of over 40% in water tariffs," said Michael Magner, IHF President. "This is unsustainable given the exceptionally challenging environment in which hotels and other hospitality businesses are currently operating." According to Mr Magner, the hospitality sector is disproportionately impacted by increases in water charges, which he said businesses are unable to absorb. "The cumulative impact of these and other cost increases now poses a serious threat to the viability of many businesses through our wider tourism and hospitality sector. "It is now imperative that the Government tackles these increases head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability," he added. Mr Magner said the industry is particularly concerned about the potential for further annual increases through to 2029. "We are calling for a fairer funding model that supports the long-term sustainability of Irish water services, while maintaining cost competitiveness for SMEs," he added. In its decision published yesterday, the CRU said the increased water charges are necessary to ensure the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of water services.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Hotels warn 'unsustainable' increase in water charges threatens survival of businesses
Plans to increase water charges for hotels are "unsustainable" and threaten the survival of many businesses, industry representatives warn. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to approve a 9.8% across-the-board increase in water charges for non-domestic and wastewater following a proposal from Uisce Éireann. The increases will come into effect from October 1. The Irish Hotels Federation voiced "serious concerns" over the regulator's decision and said the increase follows an average hike of 30% in water charges for hotels compared to this time last year. 'This is yet another example of the relentless increases in operating costs that are eroding Irish competitiveness and undermining the viability of businesses," said IHF president and owner of Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel, Michael Magner. "Over a two-year period, the average 70-bedroom hotel in Ireland will have seen an increase of over 40% in water tariffs. This is unsustainable given the exceptionally challenging environment in which hotels and other hospitality businesses are currently operating.' Mr Magnier said that as a major consumer of water services, the hospitality sector is disproportionately impacted by increases in water tariffs, which businesses are unable to absorb. "The cumulative impact of these and other cost increases now poses a serious threat to the viability of many businesses through our wider tourism and hospitality sector." Uisce Éireann charges non-domestic customers for supplying water to their premises. "The charges customers pay are determined under Uisce Éireann's Non-Domestic Tariff Framework," said the CRU. "The ministerial-approved Strategic Funding Plan 2025-2029 suggests that there is a need for €16.9bn in Uisce Éireann's funding over the five-year period, to deliver Uisce Éireann's capital programme and recover its operating costs to achieve critical outcomes for customers and communities." Mr Magner said is now imperative that the Government tackles these increases head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability. 'We are particularly concerned about the potential for further annual increases through to 2029, including the ongoing transfer of unjustifiable costs arising from inefficiencies in the delivery of water services in Ireland. We are calling for a fairer funding model that supports the long-term sustainability of Irish water services, while maintaining cost competitiveness for SMEs.'
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Neglected meter readings and smart meter issues: The complaints made to Ireland's energy regulator
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has just published its 2024 Customer Care Annual Report. The utilities watchdog reports that the number of complaints from energy and water customers actually fell by 22% in 2024 compared to 2023. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
The Journal
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Energy bills 'may not see increases' as industry to raise up to €18bn for grid upgrades
HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS may not see large increases as the sector seeks to raise funds for an up to €18bn revamp of Ireland's energy grid, price comparison site has said. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has published a proposed investment plan, seeking to upgrade Ireland's energy grid between 2026 and 2030. It could cost between €14.1bn and almost €19bn, its proposal says. This could add up to €16 per year to household bills, but communications manager Daragh Cassidy has suggested that substantial increases may not hit consumers' bills if wholesale energy costs fall. Wholesale energy prices increased massively following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This resulted in many household energy bills getting more expensive in recent years. According to Cassidy, wholesale costs for Irish providers are up to 80% higher than they were before the war. As the market stabilises, there's a possibility that substantial decreases in supplier prices may 'cancel out' the need to increase consumer bills. 'So we may not necessarily see a rise in consumers' bills,' he said. Advertisement Upgrading the Irish energy grid was debated following Storm Éowyn earlier this year, where substantial power outages continued in parts of the country for almost a month after the passing of the storm. Long-standing issues with the grid are now causing bottlenecks, such as supply shortages and resilience issues. This, according to Cassidy, is now impacting the delivery of housing and the state's ability to meet climate targets. Cassidy said: 'While the potential €6 to €16 a year increase in households' electricity bills may not be welcomed by consumers, it's moderate in the overall scheme of things.' A €16 annual increase may be a 'price worth paying' in that context. However, it is up to individual providers to decide how they pass increases in network or grid fees onto consumers. Cassidy said companies can choose to absorb the costs or increase bills. A public and industry consultant phase on the proposed upgrades will now begin, with the CRU set to make a final decision later this year. The energy regulator encourages customers to shop around and switch suppliers regularly to get the best deals. The Irish Independent reported of confusion among providers over the extent of the possible increases to bills. Providers, according to the newspaper, say fee hikes will need to be much higher than €16 per year to raise the funds needed for the upgrades. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Very concerned': Regulator sets deadline for Uisce Éireann to provide data on leaks, sewage overflows and supply issues
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has given the water company until the end of June to hand over the data. In a letter to Uisce Éireann, the CRU said there had been problems getting details from it since 2020 and it was now 'very concerned'. 'Uisce Éireann's failure to report on these metrics means the utility is non-complaint with the current regulatory framework,' the letter said. 'These metrics, particularly security of supply, are of key interest to the Uisce Éireann board, its customers, developers and stakeholders including local, indigenous and international industry. 'Accurate, timely and complete reporting assists customers, stakeholders and the CRU to understand which areas of the network are most at risk and require targeted investment. 'Uisce Éireann's failure to provide this information to date hinders customers' and the CRU's ability to understand the utility's full performance.' The letter acknowledged that Uisce Éireann was 'engaging with the CRU' on the matter but also set a June 30 deadline. In a statement in response, Uisce Éireann said it 'notes' the CRU's assessment, which came in two reports published yesterday. 'These reports assess the utility's performance against a wide range of metrics as set by the CRU, and provide information on water/wastewater services,' it said. 'In the Performance Assessment Framework report, the CRU recognises the progress being made by Uisce Éireann across a range of areas, while also acknowledging that challenges remain in relation to certain targets. 'Where targets have yet to be achieved, Uisce Éireann is committed to meeting these in the shortest possible timeframe.' The company did not commit to providing the outstanding information by the June deadline. The CRU reports annually on Uisce Éireann's performance and these latest assessments relate to the utility's work in 2023, when almost €2bn was spent on water and wastewater services. 'This significant investment by Uisce Éireann is welcomed and delivered certain improvements,' the CRU said. It said, however, there were areas of 'underperformance and required improvement' and that continued heavy investment was needed.
