EU Governance Regulation: An opportunity to ensure a reliable clean electricity provision 

 The EU Governance Regulation can be a key tool for facilitating strategic planning and implementation with regards to the five dimensions of the Energy Union: Energy Security, a Fully Integrated Internal Energy Market, Energy Efficiency, Decarbonisation, and Research, Innovation, and Competitiveness. 

However, as it stands, the Regulation is arguably not meeting its stated objectives. Numerous stakeholders, including the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC), have noted significant shortcomings in its set up and implementation, linked particularly to its delivery mechanisms, i.e. national long-term strategies and integrated national energy and climate plans (NECPs). Without an effective planning and implementation framework, the EU risks falling short of its climate objectives, both under the Paris Agreement and the EU’s own law. 

The upcoming revision offers an opportunity to strengthen the strategic planning framework, particularly keeping in mind crucial considerations for meeting the EU’s Energy Union objectives, like the availability of clean firm electricity.