Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002930/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)
According to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943,[1] electricity transmission system operators must ensure minimum levels of available capacity and are not allowed to limit the available volume of interconnection capacity as a means of resolving congestion within their own bidding zone. Exceptionally, derogations may be granted for reasons of maintaining the security of system operations, while avoiding discrimination between intra- and cross-zonal exchanges (paragraph 9 of the same Article).
The Austrian transmission system operator (APG) has received six consecutive derogations,[2] essentially remaining outside the above requirements. By granting derogations consecutively, this exceptional possibility becomes an established situation, significantly affecting the volume of capacity provided to other states participating in the energy market. This, in turn, affects the price level, creating large differences in electricity prices on the day-ahead markets between South-East and Central Europe, significantly affecting households, businesses and industries in South-East Europe.
In view of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission consider the granting to APG of successive derogations justified, given their impact on electricity prices in South-East Europe?
- 2.Will the Commission collaborate with ACER to end abuse of the derogation?
- 3.What measures does the Commission intend to put in place to address the significantly higher electricity prices in the countries of South-East Europe, such as Greece?
Submitted: 16.7.2025
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EL/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02019R0943-20240716
- [2] For instance in relation to 2025, see the request by APG (https://markt.apg.at/dokumenten-hub/apg-request-for-derogation-for-core-region-2025-englische-version/) and approval by the national body (https://www.e-control.at/documents/1785851/10641279/Bescheid%20vom%205.12.2024,%20V%20ELBM%2004%252F24%20an%20Austrian%20Power%20Grid%20AG/55bf1cad-f683-9b00-f023-d61054dc0995).