(Re-)Designing the internal market for electricity

Briefing 11-04-2017

The IA appears to present a good and comprehensive analysis to identify the problems in the status quo, define the objectives of EU action, delineate policy options that can fulfil those objectives, assess the impacts of those options, and choose the best options to address the identified problems. This process seems to be based on sound data and research. In the explanation of the objectives, however, the distinction between what the IA refers to as the sub-objectives and the operational objectives does not appear to be very clear, raising doubts as to whether the sequential process required in the better regulation guidelines has been followed. Finally, the IA’s length and complexity somewhat limit its accessibility, although the sixteen page abstract added in response to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board’s recommendation goes some way towards addressing this issue.