Brussels, 28/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 27 November, the European network of transmission system operators for electricity (ENTSO-E) published its proposals to improve the security of supply and contribute to Europe's decarbonisation by 2030.
The first priority is for the smooth adoption of all the electricity network codes by the end of 2015 at the latest in order to ensure that harmonised rules are put in place in a timely manner.
ENTSO-E also proposes launching a debate on the next steps for the electricity market design in order to deliver effective price signals for investors. ENSTO-E calls, in addition, for the emissions trading scheme (ETS) to deliver a suitable carbon price.
In order to stimulate the development of cross-border interconnectors and to reach the objectives set by the European Council (10% of national capacity installed by 2020, and 15% by 2030), ENSTO-E targets the completion of the Ten-Year Network Development Plan and a review of the 2013 infrastructure (TEN-E) regulation by the end of 2017 to improve the authorisation process and assess the effectiveness of its implementation - particularly its impact on the administrative burden. ENSTO-E also proposes a pan-European communication plan to publicly support the development of vital European infrastructure projects.
In order to support the construction and funding of the transmission lines, ENTSO-E calls for financeability to be fostered by adapting regulatory regimes so as to enable transmission system operators (TSOs) to finance the steep rise in capital expenditure. EU funding, including part of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), should play a central role in modernising European grids and supporting innovation in the energy sector.
In addition, ENTSO-E suggests that member states submit their 2030 energy governance framework plans as of 2015 so as to reinforce stability and predictability for energy stakeholders and facilitate accurate infrastructure and the necessary market design adaptations.
ENTSO-E represents 41 TSOs in 34 European countries. It is legally mandated in the third energy package for liberalisation with key tasks for the completion of the internal energy market - such as the development of EU network codes, the establishment of Ten-Year Network Development Plans and cooperation projects among TSOs. (EH)