Balkan countries working on EU protective solidarity arrangements

EU member states are working on forming and signing solidarity arrangements to offer wider crisis prevention plans against electricity and natural gas supply abnormalities by December 1, based on an EU regulation issued last November.

These arrangements are intended to protect consumers and infrastructure against energy shortage threats raised by emergency conditions as a coordinated European effort rather than a series of national plans, seen as too limited to counter threats with broader implications.

RAE, Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy, has been tasked with heading the wider arrangement’s Balkan group, coordinating the protection plans of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.

The solidarity arrangements are seen as a necessary form of protection in emergency situations given the interactive nature of electricity and natural gas markets, especially neighboring markets.

The solidarity arrangements will enable EU member states affected by natural gas and electricity supply problems to seek support from neighboring countries.

According to the EU regulation, gas supply sufficiency priority will be given to households, telethermal facilities and key social services such as hospitals.

In the plan’s most recent regional development, Greek and Bulgarian energy regulatory and energy exchange officials, as well as system operators representing the two neighboring countries, held a meeting early last month to establish a road map with an objective to bridge their electricity markets.

The crucial role of energy as a link promoting stability, economic growth and competition-related potential, ultimately offering mutual benefits to energy consumers of both countries, was reiterated at the meeting, according to participants.