European Commission (EC)
Gazprom claims highlight stranglehold over European gas
An EC antitrust probe throws Gazprom's dominance in central and eastern Europe into sharp relief, but will do little to alleviate it
EU capital requirements worry commodity trading firms
The finalisation of Mifid II in Europe has rekindled a debate over whether commodity trading firms should be subject to capital requirements. Firms are lobbying strongly against the idea, but regulators and the European Commission will have the final say
Commodities regulation since the financial crisis
Risk.net presents an interactive timeline looking at major regulatory developments affecting commodity markets since the global financial crisis of 2008
Mifid II must recognise that commodities are different
Mifid II is one of the most significant pieces of post-crisis financial reform, and threatens to engulf commodity trading firms in rules aimed squarely at financial services firms
Renewables in Europe: A roadmap for fundamental reform
Subsidies have proven successful at bolstering the share of electricity generated from renewable sources across Europe, but have also created some nasty side effects. Those undesirable consequences could be rectified by a more market-based approach,…
Precious metals dealers search for better benchmarks
Amid pressure from regulators, a new system for determining benchmark silver prices will be put in place from mid-August, while reforms are also under discussion in the gold market. Industry observers say increasing participation will be crucial to…
EC's Ristori worries about energy security post-Ukraine
The EC's director-general for energy expresses fears about Europe's continued reliance on Russia for energy imports amid the crisis in Ukraine, in an exclusive interview with Energy Risk
Power capacity conundrum has potential to turn sour
Differences between the EC and member states on capacity markets illustrate the struggle to co-ordinate EU energy policy and may point towards future battles
EC's Ristori takes on Ukraine, subsidies and EU integration
Dominique Ristori was appointed as EC director-general for energy earlier this year. In an exclusive interview, he speaks to Mark Pengelly about energy security in the wake of Ukraine, European integration, energy subsidies and the development of shale…
EU consultation provokes debate on future of energy market
On June 16, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators closed a consultation on the future of the EU energy market. The document’s wide-ranging proposals have been met with a mixed reaction from regulators and market participants. Gillian Carr…
Europe should unite or die, says Lowe
NWE market coupling delays highlight need for robust EU energy regulator, says former EC director general
EMR heralds greater government intervention in UK power
UK Electricity Market Reform, which is set to come into effect in July, will introduce a level of government intervention not seen in the country’s power market since the early 1990s. The impact will be felt by UK power firms and could ripple across…
EU ETS fix should focus on long term, argue market participants
Short-term fixes give rise to uncertainty, in contrast to long-term change needed to rescue the ETS, say firms
Energy should be exempt from benchmark rules, argues EC official
Benchmark indexes in energy markets are already well regulated and do not need further oversight, argues EC director-general for energy
PRAs under attack amid market manipulation investigations
Price reporting agencies (PRAs) are facing intense scrutiny from regulators, amid renewed allegations that their widely used price indexes are being manipulated by unscrupulous energy traders. Will the PRAs be forced to change their ways? Alexander…
Mandatory bundling will damage trading in European gas, say firms
Capacity Allocation Mechanism network code could restrict gas trade at physical hubs and interconnection points
EU ETS faces back-loading test
Dismal prices in the European Union Emissions Trading System are causing interest in the world’s largest emissions market to wither away. While the European Commission has come up with a plan to put it on life support, analysts say there is a 50:50…
Q&A: Alberto Pototschnig, Acer
Alberto Pototschnig was appointed as the inaugural director of the Ljubljana-based Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators in 2010. In an exclusive interview, he speaks to Mark Pengelly about market manipulation, financial regulation and the…
PRAs push back against potential EU rules on benchmarks
Price reporting agencies among the most vehement critics of potential EU rules on benchmark indexes
EC data reinforces oversupply in carbon market
According to data published by the European Commission, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme was oversupplied with allowances in 2011
EU ETS set-aside takes another step forward
The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy has voted for the use of a set-aside under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
EC committed to providing clarity on supply and trade transparency rules, says DG Energy policy expert
Clarifications on two sets of data transparency rules for European energy markets are in the works, according to European Commission policy expert
Energy Risk CEE: New EU regulations create confusion for firms, says panel
A new alphabet soup of financial services and energy market regulations are making firms nervous about their ability to comply, said panellists at Energy Risk's Central and Eastern Europe conference