Today
the energy, as ever before, remains one of the most pressing challenges for
both the EU and candidate countries. In the last, EC has adopted on 25th
July and enter into force on 14th August 2015 the new electricity
market rules through a series of EU laws (generally known as ‘network codes and
guidelines’ in this case Regulation establishing a Guideline on Capacity Allocation
and Congestion Management – CACM) which will bring the goal of a
well-integrated EU internal energy market a step closer.
In
more the new rules enables effective regional cooperation amongst grid
operators, power exchanges and regulators. In this last regard, the Western
Balkan countries are bracing themselves for the next summit to be held in
Vienna this August, seeing as a crucial, a fully alignment with EU energy
legislation (namely EU Third Energy Package) and bring back healthy competition
against corruptive practices, in order to encourage foreign private investment in
power generation, cross-border interconnectors, and more significant use of
renewable energy and efficiency measure, etc.
Regard
the trading in specific, on 15 Jul 2015, the Secretariat launched a public
consultation on draft Policy Guidelines on the Promotion of Organised
Electricity Markets in the Contracting Parties. The Guidelines aim to
facilitate the establishment of organised electricity market structures in the
Contracting Parties by providing guidance on the harmonised development of the
institutions, processes and compatible rules needed.
The
focus is on specific measures that are to be implemented in the Contracting
Parties’ national legal and regulatory frameworks in order to allow for
competitive spot markets at national level and, consequently, the coupling of
markets across borders. The establishment of organised markets is also an
essential prerequisite for the implementation of the EU Regulation on Capacity
Allocation and Congestion Management in the Energy Community Contracting
Parties.
Process
that as seen the Albania giving a first strong signal came just on the begin of
July 2015, when the Ministry of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri presented
its plans about the opening of a power exchange platform in Tirana.
Announcement that follow the enactment of the new Law on the Electricity Sector
no. 43 on 30th April 2015. The new law aim a fully aligned with
Directive 2009/72/EC dated 13 July 2009 “On common rules for the internal
market in electricity”.
Notwithstanding,
the new law on the electricity sector approved by Albanian Parliament, constitutes
a decisive step forward, it is only the first step on a long path of the energy
reforms in Albania. Probably by first, it comes also to give a signal, due to
guide role as actual holder of the Energy Community Presidency for the 2015, then
as a good example to be followed by the other Contracting Members of the Energy
Community.
In
same time, it is due also the pregnant problem in Albania, as in some other
parts of the Western Balkans, to the volatility of energy production and the
lack of liquid energy market. Except Albanian until now only Serbia has approve,
probably due the leading regional position in trading, a new law on the
electricity sector that adopts the EU Third Energy Package. A transposition
that take particular importance in view of the step back that have register so
far the FYR of Macedonia failure to liberalize electricity market in line with
binding Energy Community deadline.
The here above presentation came in framework of upcoming
complete report about liberalisation and organised market in Western Balkans.
In case of interest to the direct involvement as author with analyses or other
form of support, contact us at the info@albaniaenergy.org.