Streamlining and Improving Some Aspects of the Governance of the Energy Sector

The governance of the EU energy sector has gradually evolved over time to reflect and support the closer integration of the Internal Electricity Market. As the EU energy sector faces new challenges, both at the local and cross-border levels, its governance might once again need to be reviewed, to ensure that it remains fit for the future. This Policy Brief highlights three opportunities for streamlining the governance of the electricity (and gas) sector(s) at the cross-border level, related to: (i) the ‘all TSOs’ or ‘all relevant TSOs’ processes; (ii) the regulatory oversight of EU-wide entities; and (iii) the operation of the electricity market coupling. Other areas for improvement in the current governance framework may also emerge, and one suggestion relates to the dual role of the ENTSOs, both as (i) entities responsible for a number of essential tasks for the energy sector and (ii) associations with TSOs as their members.