Brussels, 30/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Adopting by 43 to 1 with 3 abstentions a report by Giles Chichester (EPP-ED, UK) on Wednesday 28 May 2008, the European Parliament's industry committee clearly called for stronger regulatory powers for the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, contrary to the European Commission's original plan as part of the energy package. The committee also adopted by a strong majority a report on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks and a report on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity.
In its original report, the European Commission suggested setting up two bodies to bring together the various entities running distribution networks: the European Network of Transmission System Operators for electricity (ENTSOC) and gas (ENTSOG), endowing each with the power to adopt: network codes on security rules, including interoperability and procedures for emergency situations; grid connection and access rules; cross-border capacity allocation and congestion management rules; network-related transparency rules; energy efficiency rules; a ten-year investment plan; an annual work programme; and research plans.
The agency would only have played an advisory role to these two bodies. The industry committee, however, opposed this approach. There was wide agreement among the political groups that it ought to be the ENTSOs which, on the basis of agency guidelines, propose the rules, plans and codes listed above and the agency which adopts them. Moreover, MEPs decided the agency should monitor the ENTSOs' implementation of the network codes. They want the agency to have a considerable say in defining “issues of prime importance” for the development of the internal market in electricity and gas.
With new competences come new responsibilities. The agency, MEPs decided, should therefore be made more accountable: the director should be subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament and should regularly report back to the EP on the performance of his/her duties. The industry committee believes that the agency headquarters should be in Brussels. The Chichester Report will be debated and voted upon at the 16-19 June 2008 plenary in Strasbourg.
The industry committee adopted by 44 to 1 with 3 abstentions a report by Atanas Paparizov (PES, Bulgaria) on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks. The report will be debated and voted upon at the 7-10 July 2008 plenary in Strasbourg. A report by Alejo Vidal Quadras (EPP-ED, Spain) on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity, adopted by 46 to 0 with 4 abstentions, will be voted upon at the 7-10 July 2008 plenary.
In a press release, the European Parliament points out that the Eluned Morgan Report (PES, UK) on the internal market in electricity, which has already been adopted by the industry committee, will be examined at the 16-19 June 2008 plenary. (O.L.)