As higher wholesale gas prices affect retail gas and electricity markets, Europe’s energy regulators are monitoring the situation and looking to ensure that there are no market abuses could artificially inflate prices.ACER released a paper on 13 October,looking at drivers behind higher prices and options for European policymakers, and CEER’s President was interviewed on the BBC this month (see the Feature section below) about high energy prices as well as other energy issues high on the agenda nowadays. Regardless of the choices decided upon by policymakers, CEER supports measures that are inclusive and therefore mindful of the most vulnerable consumers whilst not undermining efficient markets that deliver long-term benefits to European consumers.
During her interview with theBBC World News (Talking Business), CEER President Dr Annegret Groebel discussed with the BBC host and her co-interviewee, Ms Iman Hill, Executive Director of theInternational Association of Oil & Gas Producers,high energy prices in Europe, the green transition and lessons learned from the current situation.
President Groebel explained to the BBC’s global audience reasons behind recent high energy prices, including the rebound in economic activity in Europe and clarifying that some of the factors are temporary. President Groebel noted that given the EU’s climate and emissions goals, usage of not only coal but also [conventional] gas will need to greatly diminish sooner rather than later. That is, President Groebel emphasised that renewables costs have come down greatly, making them competitive for an energy mix that not only greatly reduces the role of coal, but the role of gas.
President Groebel stressed the importance of not making interventions that undermine the coherence of markets whilst policymakers could consider temporary interventions in areas such as taxation. She also pointed out that higher prices of carbon emissions certificates that we see from the energy transition should help to reverse the situation wherein gas has become relatively more expensive compared to coal, rather than the energy transition being a risk to energy markets. President Groebel remained optimistic that renewables can take the lead in European energy markets.
This paper assesses the magnitude of RES installations reaching (or already reached) the end of their support time, which, in many cases, will differ from their technical lifetime end. Furthermore, the paper also discusses some upcoming regulatory challenges and alternative business strategies for RES installations after support are identified.
This report presents CEER’s assessment of innovative business models and their impact on regulatory frameworks as well as their implications for consumer protection. The paper provides key takeaways and ways forward on the identified regulatory challenges.
CEER welcomes the European Strategy for Data as profound changes are underway in the energy sector, affecting the ways energy is produced, transported and consumed. Energy regulators have the two-fold task of ensuring that these changes are efficient and beneficial to the system and consumers alike. In order to fully unlock the potential of digitalisation in this sector, it is not only sufficient to incentivise the roll-out of technology, but it is also necessary to enable the use of the multiple types of data generated. Issues such as data portability, data access rights for third parties and government, data control and cybersecurity as well as privacy issues must be addressed within a harmonised framework.
Achieving (at least) 55% emission reductions by 2030 will only be feasible if a coherent policy framework across sectors is put in place to enable consumers to actively take part in the energy transition and to ensure that no one is left behind by embedding inclusiveness in its design and implementation.
5 November (11:00 – 12:00 CET): CEER and the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) are holding a webinar to present the main findings and recommendations of the Electricity Wholesale Volume of the Market Monitoring Report (MMR) to be published by early November 2021.
10 November (10:00 – 11:00 CET): CEER and the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) are holding a webinar to present the main findings and recommendations of the Energy Retail and Consumer Protection Volume of the Market Monitoring Report (MMR) to be published by early November 2021.
The EU4Energy Programme hosts the three-day online training on Electricity Market Design and Green Deal for Eastern Partnership (EaP) Countries, which brings together energy experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to enhance their knowledge in the implementation of the European Union’s Clean Energy Package and the related electricity market design challenges.
The three-day interactive training launched on 19 October 2021 focuses on the general principles and explores the challenges of electricity market design and its application, examines the main innovations introduced by the EU’s Clean Energy Package, covering the expected legislative evolution, electricity trading properties, price formation and re-dispatching challenges, and compatibility of renewable support schemes with the market.
Do you want to understand how energy trading is conducted using a trading simulation? Learn how traders handle risks and opportunities by means of periodic transactions? See the traders view on how the financial regulation and REMIT interacts and how this affects trading? Do you want to know how the hydrogen is traded?
Do not wait and register now! Online Class 1 on Thursday, 25 November 2021 - 10:30-16:00 (CET) Online Class 2 on Friday, 26 November 2021 - 10:00-16:00 (CET)
