Regulation (EU) 2019/941 on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector (Text with EEA relevance.)

What it is

to establish appropriate tools to prevent, prepare for and manage electricity crisis situations. LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: even where markets and systems function well, the risk of an electricity crisis as a result of a variety of circumstances (e.g. extreme weather circumstances, malicious attacks including cyber-attacks, a fuel shortage) cannot be excluded. In addition, given that electricity systems are integrated, where crisis situations occur, they often have a cross-border effect. Some circumstances (e.g., a prolonged cold spell or heat wave) might affect several Member States at the same time and even incidents that start locally they may rapidly spread across borders. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Flavio ZANONATO (S&D, IT) on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector and repealing Directive 2005/89/EC. The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows. Objective : the proposed Regulation lays down rules for the cooperation between Member States in view of preventing, preparing for and handling electricity crises in a spirit of solidarity and transparency, in full regard for the requirements of a competitive internal market for electricity and in line with the Union’s energy and climate objectives . An 'electricity crisis ' shall mean a situation of significant electricity shortage or impossibility to deliver electricity to end-consumers, either existent or imminent, based on parameters defined in national and regional crisis scenarios. Members considered that Member States should be required to identify concrete electricity crisis scenarios at the regional and national level and subsequently identify concrete measures to address such situations in their risk preparedness plans. That approach should ensure that all possible crisis situations are covered. Risk assessments : the proposed Regulation requires Member States to ensure that all risks relating to the security of electricity supply are assessed. Members pointed out that security of electricity supply shall imply effective cooperation amongst relevant stakeholders , Member States and regional coordination centres, and the Commission with the Union’s other institutions and bodies, all within their respective areas of activity and competence. Before submitting the proposed methodology , ENTSO-E shall conduct a consultation exercise involving at least the regional coordination centres, industry and consumer organisations, generators, the transmission system operators, the distribution system operators, the competent authorities, the national regulatory authorities, other national authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Guidelines for prevention and handling : the Agency for the Co-operation of Energy Regulators shall draft the Union-wide guidelines for the prevention and handling…

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