Electricity Distribution Network Allowed Revenues 2026/Distribution Use of System (DUoS) Tariffs & Distribution Loss Adjustment Factors (DLAFs) for 2025/2026
The CRU has published an Information Paper on the Electricity Distribution Network Allowed Revenues for 2026 and the associated Distribution Use of System (DUoS) tariffs and Distribution Loss Adjustment Factors (DLAFs) for the 2025/26 tariff year.
The final 2026 allowed revenues of €1,336.80m (nominal) leads to a tariff year revenue of €1,280.02m, which is to be recovered during the tariff period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026. This represents a tariff year (2025/26) increase of circa 12% relative to the €1,139.52m that was approved for recovery during the previous tariff year (2024/25).
This year’s annual revenue and tariff process marks a transitional phase between the Price Review Five (PR5) decision (CRU/20/153) and Price Review Six (PR6). This means the allowed revenue calculations from PR5 (2025) and the CRU’s PR6 Draft Determination assessment (2026) collectively inform the revenue to be recovered from customers through electricity network tariffs over the period 01 October 2025 – 30 September 2026.
As part of the annual revenues and tariff process, the CRU has considered and allowed for limited adjustments to the PR6 Draft Determination revenues. For distribution, this includes a material increase in allowances associated with ESBN’s Winter Resilience Plan 2025. Actions under the plan include hazard removal and surveying, forestry management and timber cutting, materials and spares review, and resourcing and innovation measures to increase grid resilience.
The distribution Average Unit Price (AUP) for the 2025/26 period is expected to be 5.13c/kWh which is an increase of circa 10% relative to the current AUP. The CRU continues to support justified and essential investment in the electricity system. Additional allowances are only provided where they are needed, additional and to the benefit of the consumer. The combined transmission and distribution AUP for the 2025/2026 period is estimated to be 7.73c/kWh, which is an increase of circa 6% relative to the current AUP.
In bill impact terms, the estimated combined transmission and distribution impact results in an increase of approximately €29 (or €2.40 per month) in the network element of a typical domestic customer's bill for the 2025/26 tariff year. This increase is driven by three key factors: (i) the Price Review Six Draft Determination allowances for 2026, (ii) adjustments to the approved allowances following the 2026 annual revenue and tariff process, and (iii) updates to model inputs, including revised demand forecasts and cost parameters.
A customer’s annual bill also depends on other factors such as wholesale market costs (which are in turn driven by factors such as international commodity prices), capacity market costs, and other system costs. Additionally, the DUoS tariffs are charged to suppliers, who may choose how, or whether, to pass them on to their customers.
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