January, 21st 2019
The energy transition is creating many challenges for electricity networks, both transmission and distribution. Uncertainties over the evolution of electricity demand, the development of self-consumption, and technological developments such as storage and digitalisation, are creating a new context for changes in the regulation of electricity networks. What are the needs in terms of network investment, in the context of an energy transition characterised by a growing proportion of variable and spatially dispersed energies? What regulatory framework should be put in place to ensure efficient investment and avoid the risk of stranded costs given the uncertainties? How can we move from a "cost plus" approach to one that makes operators responsible for their investment choices? What changes to the regulatory framework would make it possible to experiment with new financing models?
This document provides a summary of the presentations and discussions that animated the conference on the theme of "The regulatory framework for electricity networks: What changes for efficient investments and to stimulate innovation for the Energy Transition?" organised by the Governance and Regulation Chair, the EEA and the EEM Chair on 21 January 2019.
