 | |
| Abbreviation | ENTSO-E |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | ETSO, UCTE, NORDEL, ATSOI, UKTSOA, BALTSO |
| Formation | 19 December 2008; 16 years ago (2008-12-19) |
| Type | Association |
| Legal status | AISBL |
| Purpose | ENTSO-E promotes closer cooperation across Europe's TSOs to support the implementation of EU energy policy and achieve Europe's energy and climate policy objectives, which are changing the very nature of the power system |
| Headquarters | Rue de Spa 8 Brussels, Belgium |
Region served | Europe |
| Membership | Transmission system operators |
Main organ | ENTSO-E Assembly |
| Website | www |
TheEuropean Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is an association representing 40 electricitytransmission system operators (TSOs) from 36 countries across Europe, thus extending beyond EU borders. It manages theContinental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA). ENTSO-E was established and given legal mandates by theEU's Third Package for theInternal energy market in 2009, which aims at further liberalising the gas and electricity markets in the EU.[1] UkrainianUkrenergo became the 40th member of the association on 1 January 2024.[2]
On 27 June 2008, 36 European electricitytransmission system operators (TSOs) signed a declaration of intent inPrague to create the ENTSO-E.[3] ENTSO-E was established on 19 December 2008 inBrussels by 42 TSOs as a successor of six regional associations of the electricity transmission system operators.[4][5] ENTSO-E became operational on 1 July 2009. The former associations ETSO, ATSOI, UKTSOA, NORDEL, UCTE and BALTSO became a part of the ENTSO-E, while still offering data by their predecessors for public interest.[6] Until then, theUnion for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE) was the main organization managing what is now theContinental Europe Synchronous Area.
Creation of ENTSO-E was initiated by the adoption of the European Unionthird legislative package on the gas and electricity markets.[3] In 2003, theEuropean Commission conducted a sector inquiry concerning the competition ofelectricity market in six European countries.[7] Examining competition in these countries, the final report stated serious issues to be solved.[8] It was noticed that the integration between member state's markets is still insufficient. Additionally, the absence of transparently available market information was assessed.[7] As a result, the third legislative package on the EU gas and electricity markets was adopted by the European Commission in September 2007.[9]
According to its website, "ENTSO-E promotes closer cooperation across Europe’sTSOs to support the implementation ofEU energy policy and achieve Europe’s energy & climate policy objectives, which are changing the very nature of the power system. The main objectives of ENTSO-E centre on the integration ofrenewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar power into the power system, and the completion of the internal energy market (IEM), which is central to meeting the European Union’s energy policy objectives of affordability, sustainability and security of supply. [...] ENTSO-E aims to be the focal point for all technical, market and policy issues relating to TSOs and the European network, interfacing with power system users, EU institutions, regulators and national governments."[10]
TSOs are responsible for thebulk transmission of electric power on the mainhigh voltage electric networks. TSOs providegrid access to theelectricity market players (i.e., generating companies, traders, suppliers, distributors, and directly connected customers) according to non-discriminatory and transparent rules. In many countries, TSOs are in charge of the development of the grid infrastructure, too. TSOs in theEuropean Union internal electricity market are entities operating independently from the other electricity market players (unbundling).[11]
ENTSO-E contained 40 Member TSOs from 36 countries as of January 2024.[12] Due toBrexit three Great Britain based operators left and only Northern Ireland's SONI remains from the UK.[13]
On 26 April 2022Ukrenergo signed an observer membership agreement[14] and became the 40th member of ENTSO-E on 1 January 2024.[2]
On 14 January 2016TEİAŞ signed an agreement with ENTSO-E to become first observer member, the agreement expired in January 2019.[15] On 13 December 2022 TEİAŞ signed a new Observer Membership Agreement that will run for a period of three years.[16]
| ISO country code | Country | TSO | Abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| TR | Turkey | Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation | TEİAŞ |
| MD | Moldova | Moldelectrica | Moldelectrica |
The geographical area covered by ENTSO-E's member TSOs is divided into foursynchronous areas and two isolated systems (Cyprus and Iceland). Synchronous areas are groups of countries that are connected via their respective power systems. The systemfrequency (50 Hz, with usually very minor deviations) is synchronous within each area, and a disturbance at one single point in the area will be registered across the entire zone. Individual synchronous areas are interconnected throughdirect currentinterconnectors.
The benefits of synchronous areas include pooling of generation capacities, common provisioning of reserves, both resulting in cost-savings, and mutual assistance in the event of disturbances, resulting in cheaper reserve power costs (for instance in case of a disturbance or outage).[17]
TheThird Energy Package and Regulation (EC) No 714/2009[19] on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity regulation stipulate ENTSO-E's tasks and responsibilities. Regulation (EU) 838/2010[20] on guidelines relating to the inter-TSO compensation mechanism sets out the methodology by which TSOs receive compensation for the costs incurred in hosting cross-border flows of electricity. Regulation (EU) 347/2013[21] on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure defines European Projects of Common Interest (PCIs)[22] identifies ENTSO-E's ten-year network development plan (TYNDP)[23] as the basis for the selection of PCIs. ENTSO-E is also mandated to develop a corresponding cost–benefit methodology[24] for the assessment of transmission infrastructure projects.
The Transparency Regulation (EU) No. 543/2013 [25] on submission and publication of data in electricity markets makes it mandatory for European Member State data providers and owners to submit fundamental information related to electricity generation, load, transmission, balancing, outages, and congestion management for publication through the ENTSO-E Transparency Platform.[17]
ENTSO‑E does not class as a "public sector body" under the meaning provided in the 2019Open Data Directive.
The ten-year network development plan 2016 (TYNDP)[26] is drafted by ENTSO-E, in close cooperation with stakeholders, under scrutiny ofACER and is finally adopted by theEuropean Commission. It is the only existing pan-European network development plan. It is the basis for the selection of EU projects of common interest (PCIs).[27] The list of PCIs is not fixed by ENTSO-E and is subject to a different process led by the European Commission and EU Member States.
The TYNDP is updated every two years. For inclusion in the TYNDP, each project, whether transmission or storage, has to go through a cost–benefit analysis. The benefit analysis methodology[24] is developed by ENTSO-E in consultation with stakeholders and adopted by the European Commission. It assesses projects against socio-economic and environmental criteria.[17]
ENTSO-E publishes summer and winter adequacy outlooks,[28] as well as a mid-term resource adequacy assessment, the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA).[29] The seasonal outlooks assess if there is enough generation to cover supply and highlight possibilities for neighbouring countries to contribute to the generation/demand balance in critical situations in a specific country. The ERAA analyses resource adequacy on the decade ahead, accounting for investment and retirement decisions.
ENTSO-E's network codes are binding pan-European rules drafted by ENTSO-E in consultation with stakeholders, with guidance fromACER. Network codes are grouped in three areas:
The drafting and adoption process of network codes is defined by theThird Package. ACER develops a framework guideline setting the policy choices for each code. On this basis, the codes are drafted by ENTSO-E in consultation with stakeholders. After ACER's opinion and recommendation for adoption, each code is submitted to theEuropean Commission for approval through theComitology process, i.e., to be voted on by Member State representatives and thus to become EU law, directly binding and implemented across all Member States.[17]
ENTSO-E's Central Information Transparency Platform[31] provides free access to fundamental data and information on pan-European wholesale energy generation, transmission, and consumption.[32]
ENTSO-E's R&D Roadmap[33] provides the ENTSO-E vision on grid projects to be carried out byTSOs to meet EU objectives. The roadmap is supported by the annual R&D Implementation Plan,[34] which combines both top-down and bottom-up approaches in meeting the requirements of the roadmap. ENTSO-E publishes annually a R&D Monitoring Report[35] that assesses the progress of TSO-related R&D work.[17]
ENTSO-E is an international non-profit association (AISBL) established according to Belgian law. ENTSO-E is financed by its members. The TSOs contribute to the budget according to the number of countries and the population served.[17]
The highest body of ENTSO-E is the Assembly, which is composed of representatives at CEO level of all the currently 43 members. The ENTSO-E Board is elected every two years from the overall membership and through the Assembly. It includes 12 representatives. The president, vice president, and committee chairs are invited to board meetings. The board coordinates the committees and LRG work and implements Assembly decisions.[17][36]
ENTSO-E has established four specialized committees[37] composed of managers from member TSOs. Each committee leads a number of regional groups and working groups.
At the same level as the four committees, the transversal Legal & Regulatory Group[38] advises all ENTSO-E bodies on legal and regulatory issues. In addition, expert groups on data, network codes implementation, and EU affairs provide specific expertise and work products to the association.[17]
ENTSO-E's Secretariat is based in Brussels. It is headed by the secretary-general and represents ENTSO-E to the European institutions, regulators, and stakeholders.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President of the Assembly | Hervé Laffaye |
| Vice-President of the Assembly | Zbyněk Boldiš |
| Chair of the Board | Joachim Vanzetta |
| Vice Chair of the Board | Liam Ryan |
| Secretary General | Sonya Twohig |
| Head of Policy, Communications and Stakeholder Management Section | Christelle Verstraeten |
| Head of ICT Governance & Architectures Section | Nicolas Richet |
| Head of Corporate Services Section | Bertrand Macabeo |
| Head of Corporate Governance Section & General Counsel | Florence Melchior |
| Head of Legal Section | Ivan Taleski |
| Head of Market Section | Zoltan Gyulay |
| Head of Innovation Section | Norela Constantinescu |
| Head of System Development Section | Edwin Haesen |
| Head of Operations Section | Bruno Gouverneur |
| Head of ICT Solutions Section | Ervis Bregu |
| Head of People, Talent & Culture Section | Evelyne Driane |
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