Agency for the cooperation of national energy regulators

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/942 establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

• It updates the role and functioning of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
• It also adapts the agency’s tasks to the new energy market design introduced in the clean energy for all Europeans package.

KEY POINTS

Role of ACER

• To assist the regulatory authorities in carrying out, at EU level, the regulatory tasks performed in the EU countries.
• If necessary, to coordinate action by regulatory authorities and to mediate and settle disagreements.
• To contribute to the adoption of high-quality common regulatory and supervisory practices, and thus to a coherent, effective and efficient application of Union law in order to achieve the Union’s climate and energy objectives.

Status

• In carrying out its tasks, ACER acts independently, objectively and in the interest of the EU.
• It takes its decisions autonomously, independently of private or corporate interests.

Opinions, recommendations and decisions

The agency issues opinions and recommendations to:

• transmission system operators, the European Network for Transition System Operators (ENTSO) for Electricity, the ENTSO for Gas, the EU Distribution Systems Operators entity, regional coordination centres and designated operators in the electricity market;
• regulatory authorities;
• the European Parliament, the Council or the European Commission.

The agency is competent to take decisions, notably:

• on approving terms, conditions and methodologies applicable in all EU countries which are foreseen in network codes and guidelines;
• on bidding zone reviews;
• on arbitration between regulatory authorities on regulatory cross-border issues;
• on exemptions from certain market rules;
• on infrastructure matters;
• on matters related to wholesale market integrity and transparency rules;
• for the purpose of information requests.

Monitoring and reporting

In cooperation with the Commission, EU countries and the relevant national authorities, including the regulatory authorities, ACER monitors the wholesale and retail markets in electricity and natural gas, including:

• retail prices of electricity and natural gas;
• compliance with consumer rights;
• impact of market developments on household customers;
• access to the networks including access of electricity produced from renewable energy sources.

ACER will publish annual monitoring reports which identify any barriers to the completion of the internal markets for electricity and natural gas.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 4 July 2019. Regulation (EU) 2019/942 revised and replaced Regulation (EC) No 713/2009 and its subsequent amendments.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Energy union for Europe (Council).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2019/942 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (recast) (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 22-53)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EU) 2019/941 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on risk preparedness in the electricity sector and repealing Directive 2005/89/EC (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 1-21)

Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 54-124)

Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 125-199)

Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the governance of the energy union and climate action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, pp. 1-77)

Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, pp. 82-209)

Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, pp. 75-91)

Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, pp. 1-56)

Successive amendments to Directive 2012/27/EU have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings (OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, pp. 13-35)

See consolidated version.

last update 09.09.2019