Ireland Internal Market Electricity Regulations S.I. No. 20/2022: A Guide

Key Takeaways

• S.I. No. 20/2022 implements Directive (EU) 2019/944 in Ireland.
• Consumers gained an Entitlement to a dynamic electricity price contract under these regulations.
• The regulations establish a Right to switch and rules on switching-related fees, prohibiting termination fees for standard switches.
• The Statutory Instrument came into operation on 17th January 2022.

Understanding S.I. No. 20/2022

S.I. No. 20/2022, officially titled the "European Union (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2022", is a statutory instrument in Ireland. These regulations implement "Directive (EU) 2019/944", which is part of the European Union's Clean Energy Package. The regulations came into operation on 17th January 2022. They update the framework for Ireland's electricity market, focusing on consumer rights, network flexibility, and the integration of new technologies.

Consumer Rights and Market Participation

The regulations strengthen consumer protections and market participation. You now have an "Entitlement to a dynamic electricity price contract". This allows you to benefit from electricity prices that reflect real-time market fluctuations. The regulations also establish a "Right to switch and rules on switching-related fees". This means that termination fees for standard supplier switches are prohibited.

The framework defines "aggregation" as combining multiple customer loads or generated electricity for sale, purchase or auction in any electricity market. This definition supports new business models and greater participation in the electricity market.

Network Operation and Flexibility

S.I. No. 20/2022 introduces new directives for network operators. It includes "Incentives for the use of flexibility in distribution networks". This directs Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to procure flexibility services. These services can come from decentralized renewable assets and battery storage. The regulations also address the "Integration of electromobility into the electricity network". This aims to facilitate the growth of electric vehicles and their interaction with the grid.

A key aspect of the regulations is the control over energy storage. The Statutory Instrument sets out rules for the "ownership of energy storage facilities by distribution system operators" and the "ownership of energy storage facilities by transmission system operators". This ensures fair competition and prevents network operators from dominating the storage market.

Legal Framework

These regulations are established under the "Electricity Regulation Act 1999". They update previous frameworks to align with EU directives. We checked on 31 August 2026.