Sixty years ago, on 25th March 1957, the Treaty of Rome gave birth to the European Economic Community (EEC), marking the beginning of the European market integration process. Six decades later, in energy as in other sectors, this process is delivering tangible benefits to EU citizens.
 
“The dream of the founding fathers of the European integration project has now become a reality also in the energy sector, where greater competition at EU level gives consumers a wider choice of suppliers and services, as well as better prices”, said ACER Director Alberto Pototschnig.
 
EU energy consumers are indeed saving billions of Euros per year thanks to the internal energy market. Since the mid-1990s, the three Legislative Packages on energy have designed an internal market in electricity and gas, which promotes efficient cross-border exchanges and the establishment of liquid, well-functioning wholesale markets, fostering competition in retail markets, for the direct benefits of all EU energy consumers.

The Internal Energy Market is now supported by a set of common rules (network codes), the last of which was agreed by Member States earlier this month, while most of them have already entered into force. The challenge, going forward, is to ensure that this market is able to support the transition to a clean energy economy, while continuing to ensure security of supply and affordable prices to consumers.
 
Today, in celebrating the achievements of sixty year of European cooperation, we, at the Agency, renew our commitment to work, with EU institutions, national regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, in adapting the market design to the new challenges and in delivering further benefits to EU energy consumers and citizens.