PURPOSE: to improve the security of electricity supply in crisis situations.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/941 of the European Parliament and of the Council on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector and repealing Directive 2005/89/EC.
CONTENT: this Regulation lays down rules for cooperation between Member States with a view to preventing, preparing for and managing electricity crises in a spirit of solidarity and transparency and in full regard for the requirements of a competitive internal market for electricity. In a context of interlinked electricity markets and systems, electricity crisis prevention and management cannot be considered to be a purely national task.
The Risk Preparedness Regulation, the Regulation on the Electricity Market, the Directive on common rules for the internal market in electricity and the Regulation establishing a European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) are part of the Commission's broader set of initiatives entitled Clean Energy for All Europeans'. This package includes the Commission's main proposals for implementing the Energy Union.
Identification of regional electricity crisis scenarios
The Regulation establishes a common approach to the identification of risk scenarios in order to ensure the consistency of risk assessments in a way that builds confidence between Member States in the event of an electricity crisis
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), after consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall develop and update a common methodology for risk identification, in cooperation with the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the Coordination Group for Electricity in its formation composed solely of representatives of the Member States. The ENTSO for Electricity shall propose the methodology and ACER shall approve it.
On the basis of the common methodology for risk identification, the ENTSO for Electricity should regularly draw up and update regional electricity crisis scenarios and identify the most relevant risks for each region such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, fuel shortages or malicious attacks.
Within four months of the identification of regional electricity crisis scenarios, the competent authority shall identify the most relevant national electricity crisis scenarios. Member States shall update national electricity crisis scenarios in principle every four years.
On the basis of regional and national electricity crisis scenarios, each Member State shall draw up a risk preparedness plan, including measures at national and regional level.
The Commission shall assess the risk preparedness plans with due regard to the views expressed by the Electricity Coordination Group.
Close coordination between Member States and all stakeholders and the availability of a model risk preparedness plan shall ensure that Member States' preparedness is as harmonised as possible. At the same time, sufficient flexibility shall be provided for Member States to take into account their specific circumstances.
Managing electricity crises
This Regulation requires the competent authority of that Member State shall, without undue delay, issue an early warning to the Commission, the competent authorities of the Member States within the same region and, where they are not in the same region, the competent authorities of the directly connected Member States. The competent authority concerned shall also provide information on the causes of the possible electricity crisis, on measures planned or taken to prevent an electricity crisis and on the possible need for assistance from other Member States.
Where a competent authority issues an early warning or declares an electricity crisis, the measures set out in the risk-preparedness plan shall be followed to the fullest extent possible.
Cooperation and assistance
The Regulation provides for the introduction of a clearly defined mechanism for assistance between Member States so that cross-border assistance can be provided quickly in the event of an electricity crisis.
Member States shall agree on provisions for fair compensation before assistance is provided. The Member State requesting assistance shall pay or ensure that this compensation is paid promptly to the Member State providing the assistance.
By 1 September 2025, the Commission shall, on the basis of the experience gained in the application of this Regulation, evaluate the possible means by which to enhance security of electricity supply at Union level and where necessary submit legislative proposals to amend this Regulation.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 4.7.2019.