Written by Gregor Erbach (4th edition, updated on 12.7.2019),

Risk-preparedness in the electricity sector
© piotrszczepanek / Fotolia

On 30 November 2016, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector. This proposal addresses shortcomings in the existing legislation, notably a lack of regional coordination, and differing national rules and procedures. It would replace the existing legislation, and establish common rules on crisis prevention and crisis management in the electricity sector. Regional interdependencies would be taken into account in the preparation of national risk-preparedness plans and in managing crisis situations. Transparency would be enhanced by requiring an ex-post evaluation of crisis situations.

In the European Parliament, the proposal was referred to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), which adopted its report in February 2018. A trilogue agreement was reached in November 2018. The European Parliament adopted the text in the March II 2019 plenary session and the Council on 22 May 2019. The Regulation was published in the Official Journal on 14 June 2019 and entered into force on 4 July 2019.

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Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector and repealing Directive 2005/89/EC
Committee responsible: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

COM(2016) 862
30.11.2016

procedure ref.: 2016/0377(COD)

Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)
Co-rapporteurs: Flavio Zanonato (S&D, Italy)
Shadow rapporteurs: Luděk Niedermayer (EPP, Czech Republic)
Ashley Fox (ECR, United Kingdom)
Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, Austria)
Xabier Benito Ziluaga (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Rebecca Harms (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Rolandas Paksas (EFDD, Lithuania)
Barbara Kappel (ENF, Austria)
Procedure completed. Regulation (EU) 2019/941
OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 1–21