Who we are

The Utility Regulator is responsible for regulating the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland, promoting the short- and long-term interests of consumers.

Our Mission

Value and sustainability in energy and water.

Our Vision

We will make a difference for consumers by listening, innovating and leading.

Our Values

Be a best practice regulator: transparent, consistent, proportional, accountable, and targeted Be a united team – One Team One Mission Be collaborative and co-operative
One organisation, many strengths Be professional
Grow and learn as professionals Listen and explain
Open and straightforward Make a difference
Add value, be accountable for performance Act with integrity
We act with integrity

The Utility Regulator is the independent non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating Northern Ireland’s electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries, to promote the short and long-term interests of consumers.

We are not a policy-making department of Government, but we make sure that the energy and water utility industries in Northern Ireland are regulated and developed within ministerial policy as set out in our statutory duties.

We are governed by a Board of Directors and are accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly through financial and annual reporting obligations.

We are based at Queens House in the centre of Belfast. The Chief Executive, Shane Lynch, leads a management team of directors representing each of the key functional areas in the organisation: Electricity (Tanya Wishart), Gas (Brian McHugh), Water (Jo Aston), Retail and Social (Kevin Shiels – acting director) and Corporate Affairs (Donald Henry). The staff team includes economists, engineers, accountants, utility specialists, legal advisors and administration professionals.