About: electricity market
Europe should dream big and start the gas exit now
True energy independence means a complete phase out of natural gas from the energy system and its replacement with renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency, write Martin Dimitrov and Kostantsa Rangelov.
Electricity market ‘not to blame for current crisis’, EU agency concludes
The EU’s integrated electricity market has helped mitigate energy prices, bringing benefits estimated at €34 billion per year, according to a report by the EU’s energy regulators, who outline 13 measures to alleviate the ongoing price crisis.
Casting an eye on the EU’s electricity market and its long-term goals
In order for the EU to become more energy independent, Member States will need to become more inter-dependent, argues Christian Zinglersen.
The sensible bet is to accelerate the energy transition
The energy price shock currently gripping Europe is settling in for the long term and needs to be addressed with market reforms to avoid high gas prices pushing up the cost of electricity, writes Teresa Ribera.OpinionPromoted content
Raise Your Glass: Decarbonising Production for the Container Glass Industry
Challenges that were unimaginable just a short while ago can be faced through human ingenuity and collaboration. Factories today are running around the clock to help meet the urgent demand for glass vials for Coronavirus vaccines. Container glass companies also face increasing market demand for a circular packaging solution that guarantees premium taste and quality preservation.
Spanish electricity windfall tax requires a re-think
The 'windfall charge' imposed on Spain’s four largest electricity companies risks having far more negative consequences than the infamous 2013 law that retroactively changed the country's green energy subsidies, argues Christopher Jones.
A giant leap towards energy sustainability: The African single electricity market
Creating a single electricty market across Africa is an immmense task, but will mean cheaper, reliable and renewable electricity, increasing the number of people who have access to power, writes Johan van den Berg.
Ukraine and EU: it takes two to swing (at the same frequency)
Ukraine aims to couple its energy network with Europe by 2023, a move that would benefit both the EU and Ukraine, write Georg Zachmann and Lukas Feldhaus, warning, however, that more work is needed to make it happen.OpinionPromoted content
Large-scale hybrid electricity storage: innovation for decarbonisation
Ambitious climate targets being part of the European Green Deal are currently the apple of the European Union’s eye. The growing share of renewable electricity and at the same time the necessity to secure grid stability leave more and more...
Greek power utility forges ahead with corporate green financing
Greece's Public Power Corp. (PPC), the country's biggest energy company, has surpassed expectations with its first-ever green bond. The energy utility also broke new ground at EU level by committing to pay investors a higher fee if it misses its climate goals, EURACTIV.gr reports.
Unlocking electrification through rebalancing levies and taxes
The EU needs to look at rebalancing taxes and levies on electricity to match falls in its carbon intensity and incentivise people to transition to more environmentally friendly energy, writes Jan Rosenow.
Texas power outage: lessons from the EU regulators’ perspective
The devastating events in Texas show the potential energy security risks of extreme weather, but also the benefit of the interconnected European energy grid, writes Christian Zinglersen.
Energy: A critical raw material in its own right?
Access to affordable energy is a key factor underpinning the competitiveness of European industries. But as the green transition gains momentum, pressure is building to put a higher price signal on energy and CO2 emissions, leaving regulators in a quandary.
RWE-E.ON deal will run smaller firms out of the market, green power boss claims
The European Commission’s decision to approve an agreement between Germany’s big power firms risks distorting energy market competition, according to the head of another company, who explained to EURACTIV Germany why he has started legal action.
France calls for carbon price floor to counter oil crash
The COVID-19 crisis should strengthen Europe’s resolve to achieve the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement by triggering policies that maintain fossil fuel prices above a minimum level, French authorities have said.
Germany’s transition to renewable power
Can renewable energies be used to keep the power grids running smoothly when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing? Former Green Bundestag member, Hans-Josef Fell says they can and presents a proposal to change the German electrical grid. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Electric shock: Could Brexit scar Britain’s energy landscape?
Britain's exit from the EU, which will finally happen on Friday (31 January), has sparked fears of disruption to its electricity market, from higher bills to supply issues and stalled de-carbonisation efforts.
Selling electricity to neighbours: Technically feasible, but not in practice
An EU-funded Interreg project promoting microgrids technology has managed to help consumers produce renewable electricity on their own. But the ultimate objective to enable reselling the power to their neighbour has been hindered by regulatory obstacles.
Researcher: Lowering electricity taxes is cheapest way of meeting EU climate goals
The energy transition will hit the poor hardest unless it's balanced by a shift in taxation, says Christian Egenhofer. The EU needs to acknowledge this and get started by lowering taxes on electricity to achieve the EU’s carbon reduction goals at least cost, he argues.
Walking the walk on capacity mechanisms
The European Commission’s review of Britain’s capacity market for electricity will reveal whether the EU executive really believes the recast regulation on the internal electricity market is ever likely to be fully enforced, write Philip Baker and Michael Hogan.
An Energy Union 2.0?
Four years into the Energy Union project, it is worth taking stock of one of the flagship policies of the Juncker Commission and look into future challenges, writes Piotr Arak.
EY consultant: Europe is lagging behind in power grid digitalisation
The volume of solar panels and electric cars connected to the grid is still manageable for now. But massive new load expected from electric vehicles in the coming years will require stepping up network digitalisation, warns Serge Colle.
Smart meter woes hold back digitalisation of EU power sector
Electric cars and rooftop solar panels are expected to hit mass markets in the coming years, all requiring smart meters installed in people’s homes. But EU countries are slow at deploying them, and industry voices are now calling on EU regulators to step in.