The Comparison of Regional Differences in the EU Energy Market Liberalisation and their Effects on Renewable Energy Sector
Albina Lindt, Goldsmiths, University of London
The energy market liberalisation as a means of creation of internal European market in energy has been envisioned at the level of European Union (EU) for now almost two decades resulting in first legislative measure in 1996. Despite further liberalisation rounds the objective is still far from achieved. This can be attributed to single groups of actors such as utilities and governments interested in competitive advantages, as well as the long-term national policy practices and established strategies in the energy sector. This amounts to factually a number of state-wide and regional energy markets with different energy tariffs and regulatory frameworks for grid access, and only a small percentage of inter-state energy trade which is a consequence of the member states’ substantial scope for choice between different implementation modes of EU legislation as well as the slow pace of development of the required infrastructure. Hence the renewable energy sector in the EU is faced with different market conditions and legislative provisions. Adopting a theoretical frame informed by the perspective of historical institutionalism and advocacy coalition approach the paper first reviews the different paths of energy market liberalisation. Subsequently, it aims at a categorisation of present energy market forms. Thirdly, it assesses the immediate impact of certain types of market liberalisation on the to-date market position of the renewable energy sector, taking into account the recent development in the regulations of energy markets.