Electricity suppliers sell electricity to electricity customers (domestic, commercial, or industrial) utilising the electricity system which is operated by EirGrid at transmission level and by ESB Networks at distribution level.

To become a supplier of electricity in Ireland you need to:

• Obtain a licence to supply electricity under Section 14 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) administers this process.
• Obtain access to the transmission system – This process is managed and administered by EirGrid as Transmission System Operator. Access to the Transmission System involves meeting the terms of, and executing, the TUoS Agreement for Suppliers. To initiate this process please contact our Customer Relations Team at +353 1 23 70472.
• Obtain access, as required, to the distribution system - this involves meeting the terms of and executing a Distribution Use of System (DUoS) Agreement.  For information on accessing the distribution system, contact ESB Networks Customer Service at +353 1 850 372 372 or refer to the ESB Networks website.
• Become a Party to the wholesale market Trading and Settlement Code.  All electricity suppliers must be parties to the Trading and Settlement code through party and unit registration with the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO). Contact SEMO for further details:

Use of System Charges

Suppliers with demand customers connected to the transmission system are subject to Transmission Use of System (TUoS) charges. Suppliers with demand customers connected to the distribution system are similarly subject to Transmission Use of System charges in addition to Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges.

Please refer to the Transmission Use of System Charges page for further information on the above and links to the current version of the Statement of Charges document.

Grid Code

Suppliers who have signed a Use of System Agreement are required to comply with the Grid Code. The Grid Code is a technical framework document approved by the CER, which establishes standards by which the TSO and parties connected to the transmission system will meet in order to provide a safe, secure and reliable grid system. Please refer to the Grid Code page for further information and to access the Grid Code.

Meter Registration System Operator

Meter Registration System Operator (MRSO) is a "ring-fenced" function within ESB Networks responsible for the Change of Supplier process and the processing/aggregation of meter data required to support Trading & Settlement in the competitive electricity market. The MRSO contact details can be found on their website.