On 18 November 2015, the European Commission adopted a Communication stating that integrated national energy and climate plans, addressing all five key dimensions of the energy union, are crucial tools for the implementation of the Energy Union Strategy and for the development of more strategic energy and climate policy planning.
In November 2018, the Energy Community Ministerial Council adopted the Recommendation 2018/01/EnC-MC, recognizing, that 'the development of integrated national energy and climate plans by the Contracting Parties would support the attainment of the long-term energy and climate policy objectives, reduce the administrative burden and enhance transparency while promoting investor certainty in the region'.
The adoption of Governance Regulation 2018/1999 on 30 November 2021 marked the next step. Adopted and adapted by Decision 2021/14/MC-EnC, the Regulation sets common rules for planning, reporting and monitoring on energy and climate policies and targets. In particular, the Contracting Parties will be required to submit National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
This page documents the Energy Community's work on the NECPs and the achievements so far. It also outlines the legal context within the European Union framework.
NECPs and the Energy Community
Legal framework
With the Decision 2021/14/MC-EnC, the Contracting Parties committed themselves to transpose and implement the Governance Regulation by 31 December 2022. Also, during the course of the year, the European Commission's study "Extension of the EU energy and climate modelling capacity to include the Energy Community and its nine Contracting Parties” is expected to be finalized. Its results will be the basis for an intensive interaction with Contracting Parties at political level to agree on energy and climate headline targets for the post-2020 period.
Earlier the work on the NECPs in the Energy Community context was based on:
- Ministerial Council Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC, and,
- Secretariat's Policy Guidelines 03/2018.
Milestones
In the course of 2021, the Contracting Parties continued developing their draft NECPs and carrying out the related modelling activities.
- First Drafts
The Secretariat assists the Contracting Parties by providing informal input to the first drafts of their plans. By July 2021, the Secretariat had provided informal comments to first drafts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Once finalized, the NECP drafts are officially submitted to the Secretariat for its assessment and recommendations. - Recommendations
In fall 2020, the Secretariat provided recommendations to North Macedonia, and in December 2021 to Albania on their draft NECPs. Additional drafts are expected from other Contracting Parties.
In terms of transposing and implementing the Governance Regulation in the Energy Community context, the Contracting Parties will be requested to submit an NECP in 2024 and integrated energy and climate progress reports every two years starting from 2025. The Secretariat is responsible for monitoring the progress both at national and at regional level.
The table below displays the submitted and/or published documents so far.
Contracting Party | Draft NECP | Secretariat's Recommendation |
Final NECPs | Secretariat's Assessment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | download | download | pending | pending |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | pending | pending | pending | pending |
Georgia | pending | pending | pending | pending |
Kosovo* | pending | pending | pending | pending |
Moldova | pending | pending | pending | pending |
Montenegro | pending | pending | pending | pending |
North Macedonia | download | download | pending | pending |
Serbia | pending | pending | pending | pending |
Ukraine | pending | pending | pending | pending |
NECP Process
Albania: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | finished |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | finished |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | started |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Bosnia and Herzegovina: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | planned |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | started |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Georgia: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | finished |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | started |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Kosovo*: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | started |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments (blue); draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations (green). | planned |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Moldova: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | planned |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | planned |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Montenegro: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | finished |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | started |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
North Macedonia: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | started |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | finished |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | finished |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Serbia: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | finished |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | planned |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | planned |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments; draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations. | planned |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |
Ukraine: NECP development process
Step | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
![]() Legal basis adopted |
Legal basis for developing and adopting the NECP in place. | finished |
![]() Working group operational |
The set-up of organizational structure and engagement of experts for the NECP development process completed; working group meets regularly. | finished |
![]() Modelling capacity exists |
Internal or external experts on board to conduct the modelling work; modelling tool determined. | finished |
![]() Policy section (A) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 1-3 describing current and planned objectives, policies and measures, in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Analytical section (B) drafted |
Drafting of NECP chapters 4-5 describing the baseline and policy scenarios of the policy section in line with the Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and/or Recommendation 2018/01/MC-EnC. | started |
![]() Submitted to the Secretariat for peer review |
Early draft NECP shared with the Secretariat for informal comments (blue); draft NECP submitted to the Secretariat for formal recommendations (green). | planned |
![]() Final version submitted to the Secretariat |
Following the submission of the final NECP to the Secretariat, the plan is to be adopted. | planned |
![]() NECP Progress report submitted |
Two years after the adoption of NECP, the Contracting Party is obliged to submit an update on progress. | planned |