ECRB's 56th plenary meeting: advancing energy integration and key decisions

The 56th plenary meeting of the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB), held in Athens, concluded with several notable developments and decisions.

During this session, the ECRB focused on the important role of national regulatory authorities in expediting the transposition and implementation of the Electricity Integration Package. Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, highlighted the urgency of promptly finalizing the relevant legal framework. He emphasized the critical need to designate at least one Nominated Electricity Market Operator (NEMO) without delay, enabling the submission of the Market Coupling Operation Plan by June 15, 2024. Lorkowski also highlighted the significance of regional cooperation among all stakeholders, including regulators, and offered the assistance of the Energy Community Secretariat in developing regional terms, conditions, and methodologies.

A key instrument for advancing electricity integration within the Energy Community is the ECRB's Work Program 2024, which received approval during the meeting. This program outlines numerous activities that the ECRB will intensify to meet legal requirements effectively.

Additionally, the ECRB adopted several critical 2023 deliverables, including the Market Monitoring Report on the Functioning of Gas and Electricity Retail Markets, the Report on Inside Information Platforms, and the Report on REMIT (Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency) Implementation.

In a move highlighting continuity and stability, the ECRB extended the term of Mr. Marko Bislimoski as the ECRB President, representing the Energy Regulatory Commission of North Macedonia (ERC), until the forthcoming plenary meeting envisaged for April 2024.