SEEGAS sets out possible measures to mitigate gas supply risks in case of Russian gas disruption
The Energy Community held its fourth South-East European Gas (SEEGAS) Joint Steering Committee meeting in Vienna on 30 June and 1 July.
Read moreSecretariat to support application of harmonized and efficient rules on cross-border trade following start of commercial exchanges of electricity with Ukraine
Read moreDedicated webinar explores need for gender disaggregated data in the energy sector
Read more
Published 27 June 2022
Author Energy Community Secretariat
In the
Spotlight
The 2021 Ministerial Council adopted five key legislative acts stemming from the EU’s Clean energy for all Europeans package. Renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 will be adopted at the next Ministerial Council in 2022, following the finalization of a study by the European Commission.
The new Renewables Directive 2018/2001 introduces new rules on support schemes, which shall be granted in an open, transparent, competitive, non-discriminatory and cost effective manner, and measures to tackle administrative barriers. It strengthens the existing sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids, including an indicative target for increasing the use of renewables in heating and cooling sector. It empowers consumers, introducing the concept of renewable self-consumption and energy communities.
Amending Directive 2012/27/EU, the new acquis on energy efficiency sets stronger measures for buildings renovation and savings in end-use sectors. It also introduces rules on metering and billing of thermal energy, especially with respect to multi-apartment and multi-purpose buildings. Contracting Parties will be required to renovate each year at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings over 250 m2 owned and occupied by the central government. Under the energy savings obligation, Contracting Parties will be required to achieve new annual energy savings of at least 0.8% in end-use sectors such as buildings, industry and transport.
The Governance Regulation 2018/1999 sets common rules for planning, reporting and monitoring on energy and climate policies and targets. In particular, the Contracting Parties will be required to submit National Energy and Climate Plans.
The implementation of Electricity Directive 2019/944 and Risk Preparedness Regulation puts in place a new flexible and market-based electricity market design to facilitate the integration of a greater share of renewables. It will also offer opportunities for consumers to participate in the market through generating electricity for either their own consumption, storing it, sharing it, consuming it or to selling it back to the market.
Read moreIn order to be considered “just” and “inclusive”, energy transition processes need to ensure fairness via equal distribution, full recognition of rights and labour contributions, equal participation in decision-making procedures, and equal capabilities in renewable energy outcomes. This is why it is crucial to conceive a “just energy transition” NOT as a fixed set of rules, but rather as a vision, a process based on dialogue and an agenda for a participatory framework that prioritizes the needs and concerns of local residents, particularly vulnerable stakeholders.
The Energy Community Secretariat manages four interlinked projects, which together represent the key dimensions of the Just Transition Initiative.
Read moreWith the support of the Western Balkan 6 Initiative, the six Energy Community Contracting Parties in Southeast Europe have strengthened their efforts to develop a regional electricity market in the Western Balkan Region and beyond. Under a process steered by the Energy Community Secretariat, the WB6 countries are removing step-by-step the existing legislative and regulatory barriers and enhancing the institutional structures necessary for the functioning of the market in line with the Energy Community Treaty and relevant EU acquis.
The Secretariat documents the progress made with its WB6 Energy Transition Tracker.
Read more
The EU4Energy Programme Phase II was launched by the European Union, as part of its Regional Action Programme – East. The action builds on the work of the EU4Energy Programme Phase I and the lessons learnt from it.
The new phase spans between 2021 and 2024. The objective of EU4Energy Project Phase II is to foster the clean energy transition and decarbonisation in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and to contribute to the post 2020 Eastern Partnership architecture. These countries have already signed Association Agreements, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), with the EU in the energy sector and they have a status of Contracting Parties within the scope of the Energy Community Treaty. The action will provide support through evidence-based energy policy design and through a transposition and implementation of the Energy Community acquis / DCFTA / EU best practice legal framework.
Read moreThe Secretariat’s Dispute Resolution and Negotiation Centre provides high-quality services in negotiation and mediation of investor-state disputes and offers negotiation support to national authorities in their negotiations with private parties. The Centre also facilitates the swift closure of dispute settlement cases under the Energy Community Treaty via tailor-made negotiation and mediation facilities.
A group of experienced negotiators covering a wide-range of expertise supports the work of the Centre.
Read moreThe Energy Community Regulatory School aims at supporting the technical knowledge of national energy regulatory authorities to effectively implement and efficiently apply the acquis – such as but not limited to gas and electricity network codes and guidelines or REMIT as well as resulting increasingly developing market activities.
Beyond the mere legal aspects, the Energy Community Regulatory School is dedicated to deliver practical insights and share experience made on EU level. Praxis oriented, interactive and in-depth discussions will be in the core of the training courses tailor made for the Contracting Parties’ regulators.
The Secretariat began with the Energy Community Regulatory School training in late 2017. The training is an ongoing activity.
Read moreLatest
Implementation
Updates
Moldova
on 1 June 2022
The electricity market rules entered into force in Moldova.
Read more
North Macedonia
on 1 June 2022
Government of North Macedonia adopts the final National Energy and Climate Plan, following the Secretariat’s recommendations.
Read more
North Macedonia
on 24 May 2022
Energy regulator of North Macedonia joins ACER’s electricity working group.
Read more
Ukraine
on 26 April 2022
Ukrenergo, the Ukrainian TSO, and ENTSO-E signed an Observer Membership Agreement.
Read more