The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has approved a new methodology for assessing national electricity flexibility needs, developed by the European Network for Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the EU Distribution System Operators Entity (EU DSO Entity). Under the methodology, Member States must conduct national flexibility needs assessments within 12 months, submit findings to ACER and the European Commission by July 2026, and define indicative national targets for non-fossil flexibility by January 2027. These assessments will inform clean energy investment decisions, grid expansion and modernisation, and EU policy for cross-border flexibility deployment.

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published an open letter, which seeks to clarify the obligations under Regulation (EU) 1227/2011 (the REMIT Regulation), which was amended in May 2024 by Regulation (EU) 2024/1106 (revised REMIT). In particular, the letter provides information on how EU representatives for third-country market participants should be designated, and the new obligations of persons professionally arranging or executing transactions (PPAETs). It emphasises that non-EU market participants must inform ACER about their representative’s contact details by 8 November 2024.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has opened a public consultation on amendments to the Interoperability and Data Exchange network code, which establishes the framework for operating the EU gas network and exchanging information between network users. The consultation follows changes in European gas markets since the code’s adoption in 2015, including an evolving regulatory framework under the 2024 Hydrogen Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1789), the EU’s decarbonisation ambitions and the introduction of a new European standard on gas quality (CEN EN 16726), after the European Commission invited ACER to assess whether the network code remains fit for purpose or requires amendments. Stakeholders are invited to assess whether the network code should align with the new CEN gas quality standard, whether liability rules for off‑specification gas should be clarified, including accountability and the allocation of costs for corrective actions, and whether data exchanges should be harmonised between network operators and extended to capacity booking platforms. The consultation closes on 20 May 2026.

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has opened a consultation to assess the impact of developing peak-shaving products on the EU electricity market under normal market conditions. ACER is required to conduct this assessment under Regulation (EU) 2024/1747 (the Electricity Market Design Regulation), and the consultation aims to evaluate whether peak-shaving products can be introduced outside energy crises without disrupting the EU electricity market or undermining other demand response programmes. Stakeholder input is being sought until 17 April 2025.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has issued its Opinion on the draft statutory documents for the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH). ACER has welcomed the draft documents but suggested enhancements to support ENNOH's establishment. The agency emphasised the importance of the timely transposition of certification provisions from the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Directive by Member States. ACER's Opinion now awaits the European Commission's response, which is due by 20 March 2025. If favourable, future hydrogen transmission network operators will have until 20 June 2025 to adopt and publish the statutory documents.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has announced on 14 March 2025 that it is gathering Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) templates for publication on its website. Following its October 2024 assessment that existing templates are sufficient for market needs, ACER is now collecting template submissions until 11 April 2025. The initiative aims to consolidate available templates to support market participants and facilitate PPA contracting in EU energy markets. Stakeholders must submit template links along with jurisdiction details, applicable legal basis and other specified information.

The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has opened a public consultation on 10 March 2025 seeking input on inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms for hydrogen infrastructure. The initiative addresses challenges in financing hydrogen networks through traditional regulated tariffs, particularly during early market development when user numbers are low. The resulting guidance will help network operators and national regulators implement cost-sharing mechanisms between current and future hydrogen consumers. The consultation, running until 31 March 2025, aims to inform ACER's recommendation due by 5 August 2025 under Regulation (EU) 2024/1789 (Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Regulation).

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has launched a consultation on amending the network code on capacity allocation mechanisms (CAM NC) in gas transmission systems. This follows the European Commission inviting ACER to initiate the revision under the Gas Regulation, Regulation (EC) 715/2009. ACER will recommend amendments to the Commission, who is responsible for revising the text of the network code. Building on the scoping and problem identification work undertaken and considering the regulatory elements introduced by the recently agreed hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package, ACER has developed a policy paper on 'The revision of the network code on capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems' that focuses on options to improve the network code. ACER invites stakeholders to submit their practical proposals to improve the CAM NC as well as to provide their feedback on the paper. The consultation will close on 14 June 2024.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has launched the first edition of its electricity network tariff repository, which consolidates tariff information from EU Member States in one centralised platform. The repository serves to: (1) complement national transparency efforts; (2) improve comparability and understanding of national approaches to network cost recovery and tariff setting and (3) support broader EU efforts to improve energy affordability and grid readiness. The repository provides access to electricity network information for national regulatory authorities, policymakers, network operators, researchers, analysts and consumer and industry organisations. The repository is also expected to support the European Commission’s upcoming network charges plan, expected on 10 June 2026, and will be progressively updated with additional data, tariff practices and relevant studies. It will also provide input for the next edition of ACER’s report on electricity network tariff practices, expected in 2027.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published recommendations for revising the European Union's legal framework for power grids, ahead of the European Commission's Grids Package expected in Q4 2025. The proposals focus on strengthening regulatory oversight of network development, including improvements to the Trans-European Energy Networks Regulation (TEN-E). Key recommendations include enhancing ACER's role in overseeing infrastructure planning methodologies, streamlining Ten-Year Network Development Plans, and improving Projects of Common Interest selection processes. The proposals aim to support the EU's planned €1.2bn grid investment programme through 2040, comprising €730bn for distribution and €477bn for transmission networks. The European Commission is expected to consider these recommendations in its upcoming Grids Package proposals, with ACER indicating readiness to engage with EU co-legislators and stakeholders.

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published two opinions identifying improvements and shortcomings of the 2022 draft electricity 10-year network development plan (TYNDP) which was developed by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). ACER welcomed improvements in the draft electricity TYNDP 2022 such as inclusion guidelines, needs identification and increased transparency of the cost benefit analysis (CBA). However, ACER concluded that the draft does not sufficiently contribute to the efficient and secure functioning of the electricity market, and has provided recommendations.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published Rules of Procedure setting out how it will investigate suspected cross-border breaches of the EU Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT). This followed legislative changes in 2024 that gave ACER a mandate to investigate cases affecting more than one Member State. The rules explain how ACER will examine suspected insider trading, market manipulation, failures to disclose inside information, data reporting breaches and obligations on persons professionally arranging or executing transactions. They set out ACER’s investigatory powers, including on-site inspections, requests for information and interviews, while confirming that enforcement remains the responsibility of national regulatory authorities. The Rules of Procedure describe the stages of investigations, the decision-making process and the rights and obligations of the parties concerned. They are intended to ensure legal certainty, due process, fairness and efficiency. ACER is expected to begin using these cross-border investigatory powers from the second half of 2026.