EU Climate Regulation and Energy Network Management

Abstract

This paper examines the process of decarbonizing the energy networks. It firstly presents the main challenges posed by the rise of renewable energy to energy networks and provides an overview of EU network regulation following energy market liberalization. After discussing the network access provisions relating to renewable energy sources, the paper analyzes three examples of network decarbonization, i.e. (i) electricity cables bringing offshore wind energy to shore, (ii) pipelines transporting biomethane and (iii) smart grids. In addition it examines the EU legislation applying to network investments and permitting.

Keywords: EU energy law, EU network regulation, renewable energy, decarbonizing energy networks