ERO is represented in key discussions on Regional Market Integration and Just Energy Transition within the Energy Community

Representatives of the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) participated in the Energy Forum in three important panels organized within the Energy Community Secretariat, where important topics related to the Electricity Integration Package, energy transition, and the coupling of electricity markets were discussed. In these sessions, ERO was represented by Mr. Ymer Fejzullahu, Chairman of the ERO Board, and Mr. Gani Buçaj, Member of the ERO Board.

The first panel, attended by the Chairman of the ERO Board, addressed the new competences that the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) and the national regulatory authorities (NRAs) have acquired following the adoption of the Electricity Integration Package. The Chairman of the ERO Board presented in detail the competences that the Regulators have under the Electricity Integration Package and the role of the Regulators in the integration of electricity markets between the Energy Community Member States. It was emphasized that some of the new competences granted to the Regulators are the adoption of the regulatory framework that enables the integration of markets both within the Energy Community Member States and the EU Member States, the review of regulatory methodologies to facilitate investments in the energy network and to support the integration of renewable sources, as well as the implementation of market integrity and transparency standards (REMIT). During the panel discussions, the Chairman of the ERO Board shared the experience of the electricity market coupling between Albania and Kosovo, as well as the other process that is underway for the coupling of the electricity markets between Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece. Finally, the Chairman of the ERO Board emphasized that in order to achieve the realization of all these new competencies, it is more than necessary that the Regulators are independent from any influence, the decision-making of the Regulator is independent, and that they are financially independent.

The second panel was attended by ERO Board Member Mr. Gani Buçaj, who focused on the importance of ensuring affordable energy for all end customers in the Energy Community countries, without jeopardizing the functioning of the market and covering costs in the supply chain. The ERO Board Member during his presentation emphasized that the regulatory framework for customer protection and empowerment has improved significantly, but that their full implementation still remains a challenge for most Energy Community member states. The ERO Board Member also shared ERO's experience regarding the tariff methodology used in our country, the functioning of the energy market, the process of liberalizing the electricity market, as well as the legal and regulatory framework for customer protection. The ERO Board member finally emphasized the importance of customer not being just passive beneficiaries of the energy transition, but active participants, through self-production, energy efficiency, and inclusion in the liberalized energy market.

The third panel was again attended by ERO Board Member Mr. Gani Buçaj, who focused on the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) as one of the main mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable a transition to clean energy, but also highlighted the challenges that system operators face in integrating RES. The ERO Board Member emphasized that almost all Energy Community member states have started the process of transposing the EU RES directives into their legislation and have started to introduce market-based incentive models. On this occasion, the ERO Board Member emphasized that Kosovo has already approved the Law on the Promotion of the Use of RES, which law has transposed EnC RED II. The ERO Board Member shared ERO's experience in integrating RES into our electricity grid, ERO's role in the first solar auction, which was a successful auction, as well as ERO's role and achievements in the self-consumer process.

Through representation in these discussions, ERO reaffirms its commitment to advancing reforms towards an open and integrated energy market, which guarantees consumer protection and their active involvement in the transition towards clean and affordable energy for all.