Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
104. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider revising the existing regulations governing ESB Networks to allow apartment residents to install and use solar panels on balconies, in line with successful models already in place across continental Europe, including Germany which operates on the same electrical system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54542/25]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU is responsible for oversight of the system operators, such as ESB Networks. Issues regarding the regulation and direct oversight of the System Operators associated with their obligations are a matter for the CRU.
The CRU have contact details in place for Deputies, of which they are aware, who issue to raise matters with them and in this instance this query should be directed to the CRU email oireachtas@cru.ie
