EWEA said that it would like to see a strategy for moving forward from regional initiatives to deeper market integration across Europe, and a timeline for the creation of a single European market.
Paul Wilczek, regulatory affairs advisor of EWEA, said: “Regional initiatives are a very good step forward, but the final aim remains the creation of a single European market for energy which should be in place by 2015. Regional Initiatives are an effective tool towards the establishment of a single market.”
Market integration is of high importance for the wind industry whose cost-effective integration into the electricity market hinges on the development of integrated electricity markets across the European Union. Rules that ensure an efficient allocation of electricity from renewable sources such as wind power are also critical to the development of wind power, EWEA said.
A properly functioning single market is expected to be a building block for a future power system characterised by flexibility and an increased number of market entrants, facilitating the integration of wind and other renewables.
In addition to existing intergovernmental initiatives, such as the north seas countries offshore grid initiative, there are seven regional initiatives created by European regulators. In adoption of the 3rd liberalisation package, the regional initiatives have gained a legally binding character.
