European Gas Regulatory Forum Works to Integrate EU Gas Market
November 6, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
In particular, the forum noted that transparency, interoperability and new investments were key to developing this market.
This integration effort is linked to recent proposals by the European Commission (EC) for a third legislative energy package, which aims at harmonising and improving cooperation of regulators and network operators at the European level.
Experience from recent years has shown that incompatible national rules form the core barriers for the development of a Europe-wide gas market.
The forum noted that implementation of existing legislation by both transmission system operators (TSOs) and member states is clearly needed.
The EC's advisory group, European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas (ERGEG), presented findings from its monitoring of TSO compliance with existing transparency obligations, which showed insufficient compliance with existing legislation.
The EC expressed concerns about the remaining areas of non-compliance and said that comprehensive implementation of European legislation is crucial.
On the other hand, a positive signal for progress was the announcement from Gas Transmission Europe, the association of the European gas transmission system operators, that it is starting preparations to set up the Cooperation of European Network Operators, as proposed by the EC's third legislative energy package.
The forum welcomed this development, noting that improved TSO cooperation is one of the three pillars of the new energy legislative proposals. The other two pillars are improved regulatory cooperation and effective unbundling of transmission and supply interests.
Similarly, the forum welcomed the announcement by Europex, the EU association of power exchanges, that it would address the possibility of setting up a European association of gas exchanges, which would continue discussing ways to create an integrated European gas market.
Source: European Commission.