European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity

On 27 June 2008, 36 European electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) signed in Prague a declaration of intent to create the ENTSO-E.[2] ENTSO-E was established on 19 December 2008 in Brussels by 42 TSOs as a successor of six regional associations of the electricity transmission system operators.[3][4] ENTSO-E became operational on 1 July 2009. The former associations ETSO, ATSOI, UKTSOA, NORDEL, UCTE and BALTSO became a part of the ENTSO-E, while still offering data by their predecessors for public interest.[5]

Creation of ENTSO-E was initiated by the adoption of the European Union third legislative package on the gas and electricity markets.[2] In 2003, the European Commission conducted a sector inquiry concerning the competition of electricity market in six European countries.[6] Examining competition in these countries, the final report stated serious issues to be solved.[7] It was noticed that the integration between member state's markets is still insufficient. Additionally, the absence of transparently available market information was assessed.[6] As a result, the third legislative package on the EU gas and electricity markets was adopted by the European Commission in September 2007.[8]

According to its website, "ENTSO-E promotes closer cooperation across Europe’s TSOs to support the implementation of EU energy policy and achieve Europe’s energy & climate policy objectives, which are changing the very nature of the power system. The main objectives of ENTSO-E centre on the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar power into the power system, and the completion of the internal energy market (IEM), which is central to meeting the European Union’s energy policy objectives of affordability, sustainability and security of supply. [...] ENTSO-E aims to be the focal point for all technical, market and policy issues relating to TSOs and the European network, interfacing with power system users, EU institutions, regulators and national governments."[1]

TSOs are responsible for the bulk transmission of electric power on the main high voltage electric networks. TSOs provide grid access to the electricity market players (i.e., generating companies, traders, suppliers, distributors, and directly connected customers) according to non-discriminatory and transparent rules. In many countries, TSOs are in charge of the development of the grid infrastructure, too. TSOs in the European Union internal electricity market are entities operating independently from the other electricity market players (unbundling)[9]

ENTSO-E contains 44 TSOs from 37 countries.[10]

The geographical area covered by ENTSO-E's member TSOs is divided into five synchronous areas and two isolated systems (Cyprus and Iceland). Synchronous areas are groups of countries that are connected via their respective power systems. The system frequency (50 Hz, with usually very minor deviations) is synchronous within each area, and a disturbance at one single point in the area will be registered across the entire zone. Individual synchronous areas are interconnected through direct current interconnectors.

The benefits of synchronous areas include pooling of generation capacities, common provisioning of reserves, both resulting in cost-savings, and mutual assistance in the event of disturbances, resulting in cheaper reserve power costs (for instance in case of a disturbance or outage).[11]

The Third Energy Package and Regulation (EC) No 714/2009[12] on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity regulation stipulate ENTSO-E's tasks and responsibilities. Regulation (EU) 838/2010[13] on guidelines relating to the inter-TSO compensation mechanism sets out the methodology by which TSOs receive compensation for the costs incurred in hosting cross-border flows of electricity. Regulation (EU) 347/2013[14] on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure defines European Projects of Common Interest (PCIs)[15] identifies ENTSO-E's ten-year network development plan (TYNDP)[16] as the basis for the selection of PCIs. ENTSO-E is also mandated to develop a corresponding cost–benefit methodology[17] for the assessment of transmission infrastructure projects.

The Transparency Regulation (EU) No. 543/2013[18] on submission and publication of data in electricity markets makes it mandatory for European Member State data providers and owners to submit fundamental information related to electricity generation, load, transmission, balancing, outages, and congestion management for publication through the ENTSO-E Transparency Platform.[11]

ENTSO-E is an international non-profit association (AISBL) established according to Belgian law. ENTSO-E is financed by its members. The TSOs contribute to the budget according to the number of countries and the population served.[11]

The highest body of ENTSO-E is the Assembly, which is composed of representatives at CEO level of all the currently 43 members. The ENTSO-E Board is elected every two years from the overall membership and through the Assembly. It includes 12 representatives. The president, vice president, and committee chairs are invited to board meetings. The board coordinates the committees and LRG work and implements Assembly decisions.[11][28]

ENTSO-E has established four specialized committees[29] composed of managers from member TSOs. Each committee leads a number of regional groups and working groups.

At the same level as the four committees, the transversal Legal & Regulatory Group[30] advises all ENTSO-E bodies on legal and regulatory issues. In addition, expert groups on data, network codes implementation, and EU affairs provide specific expertise and work products to the association.[11]

ENTSO-E's Secretariat is based in Brussels. It is headed by the secretary-general and represents ENTSO-E to the European institutions, regulators, and stakeholders.

• 41 transmission system operators
• 34 European countries
• 532 million customers served
• 312,693 kilometres (194,298 mi) of transmission lines
• 3,174.2 TWh electricity transported
• 423,586 GWh of electricity exchange between member TSOs
• 1,023,721 MW net generation capacity connected to the grid[11]

• EURELECTRIC
• Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators
• European Energy Community
• European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG)
• IPS/UPS – TSO organization for the networks of most of the former Soviet republics and Mongolia
• SuperSmart Grid, European super grid
• Nord Pool

• ENTSO-E website
• ENTSO-E Transparency Platform
• EC Website on Electricity