This section covers other European legislation that has relevance to British and European energy markets.
Gas Security of Supply Regulation
The European Commission (EC) proposed a Regulation on gas security of supply in July 2009 to replace Directive 2004/67/EC - link opens in a new browser window. The proposal was in response to the Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis in January 2009.
The new Regulation on gas security of supply entered into force on 2 December 2010. It calls for Member States and gas companies to be fully prepared in case of supply disruption, through clear and effective emergency plans involving all stakeholders and incorporating fully the EU dimension of any significant disruption in the spirit of solidarity.
Member States, together with gas companies, are encouraged to coordinate their preventive actions and emergency plans at regional and European levels to encourage companies to invest in the necessary infrastructure and ensure bidirectional flows where needed to secure supplies to all customers in case of disruption. They have to be able to deliver gas for at least 30 days of average demand as well as in the case of an infrastructure disruption under normal winter conditions.
As a means to achieving this, the regulation requires Member States to have a competent authority responsible for monitoring gas security of supply, assessing risks to supplies and establishing preventive and emergency action plans. The Member States are also obliged to cooperate closely in emergencies through the Gas Coordination Group - link opens in a new browser window - and by sharing information.
For more information, please refer to the European Commission’s website - link opens in a new browser window.
Energy Infrastructure Package
The European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation on guidelines for Energy Infrastructure in Europe on 19 November 2011. The Regulation will cover both gas and electricity markets and aims to ensure that strategic energy networks and storage facilities are completed by 2020.
The Energy Infrastructure Package came about in response to the Commission’s 2nd Strategic Energy Review- link opens in a new browser window - published in November 2008. The review identified a need to enhance the existing Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E), highlighting that there was insufficient investment, lack of European coordination, no inclusion of innovative technological projects and lengthy procedures.
For more information, please refer to the European Commission’s website - link opens in a new browser window.