Electricity markets for competitive and affordable energy in Europe

The EU's emerging 2040 climate and energy architecture, including the electrification target and a prospective renewable or clean energy target, will have significant implications for the future development of the internal electricity market. Growing demand and intermittency in production make cross-border trade, system flexibility, and efficient market integration more important than ever. Thus, a resilient design and governance of electricity markets is crucial. Key questions include whether additional measures are needed to secure adequate non-fossil flexibility, whether a rethink of the balance between public action and market signals is warranted in light of the growing role of state support measures and the disparities in Member States' fiscal capacity to provide such support, and what lessons can be drawn from experience with cross-border capacity allocation and market coupling. This seminar will explore how the internal electricity market may need to evolve to support competitiveness, security, affordability and decarbonisation in the EU in the decade ahead.

Please indicate your attendance here within 27 October.

You are welcome to share the invitation with relevant colleagues and contacts.

Programme: 

13:00-14:00 Lunch & mingle 

14:00 Welcome by Anders Eide, Norway’s ambassador to the EU 

14:10-14:50 Research presentations: 

• Torbjørg Jevnaker, CICERO: “Political demands on Europe’s electricity markets during crises and transition”  
• Leonardo Meeus, Florence School of Regulation: “Redefining the rules of future electricity markets in Europe?”  
• Per Ove Eikeland, Fridtjof Nansen Institute: “Flexibility and the role of networks: Experiences so far”  

Coffee break 

15:10-16:25 Roundtable 

• Leigh Hancher, Florence School of Regulation 
• Sean Hegarty, EU & International AffairsTeam, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Ireland.
• Marco Foresti, ENTSO-E  
• Andreas Tirez, IFIEC and Febeliec  
• Manus Pandey, Statkraft  

16:25 Final remarks by Leonardo Meeus, Florence School of Regulation (confirmed). 

16:30-17:30 Light reception & mingle 

About the project:

EVOLVE (Europe’s evolving market design towards 2040: Electricity Market Reform and decision-making during its implementation) is a 4-year collaborative research project funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025-2029) that examines the development and implementation of European energy market rules from political and social science, economics and legal perspectives.

EVOLVE is led by CICERO, with the Florence School of Regulation (EUI), Fridtjof Nansen Institute, University of Bergen as research partners. The project’s societal partners are the Norwegian Ministry of Energy, Statnett, Renewables Norway, Statkraft, Hafslund, Elvia, the Norwegian Energy Regulatory Authority, Skagerak Energy, Hydro and Nord Pool. The project’s advisory board consists of Leigh Hancher (FSR, University of Tilburg), Jørgen Bjørndalen (DNV) and Lena Kitzing (DTU).