Microgeneration Outlook - Design for Micro-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems - page 20

4.1 IEM Directive

One of the primary objectives of the European Union in the European energy sector
is the creation of genuine internal energy market with the purpose of giving

European consumers a choice between different companies supplying electricity at
reasonable prices, and of making the market accessible for all suppliers, especially
the smallest and those investing in renewable forms of energy

“

[ 72 ].
The Internal Electricity Market Directive within the Third Energy Package
created the framework for competition by setting common rules for the internal
market for electricity

”

with a view to improving and integrating competitive
electricity markets in the Community

“

. 14 The directive established the rules asso- ”

ciated with the organisation and functioning of the electricity sector, open access

to the market, the criteria and procedures applicable to calls for tenders and the
granting of authorizations and the operation of systems. It also lays down universal
service obligations and the rights of electricity consumers and clari

“

es competition

, 15 requirements ” all to “ deliver real choice for all consumers of the European

Union ciency gains, competitive prices, and higher standards

of service and to contribute to security of supply and sustainability

… so as to achieve ef

. 16
For all consumers of energy (covering users of microgeneration systems), the
Directive created market access by placing consumer interests

”

“ at the heart of this

. 17 An appropriate level of information and transparency is ensured with
an overseeing role to the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to provide
information on

Directive ”

prices for household customers including prepayment systems,
switching rates, disconnection rates, charges for and the execution of maintenance
services

“

18 including customer consumption data 19 and handling complaints.
However, it only created the premises for access to the grid for users of micro-
generation systems in order to

”

“

assist the active participation of consumers in the

. 20

” “

electricity supply market helping to

achieve, in the most cost-effective way, the development of secure, reliable and
efficient non-discriminatory systems that are consumer oriented, energy efficiency
as well as the integration of small-scale production of electricity from RES in
distribution networks

In addition, NRAs main objective is

. 21

”

14 Article 1.
15

Article 1.

16

Preamble 1.
17 Preamble 51.
18 Article 37, (1), (j).
19 Article 37, (1), (p).
20 Annex I.
21 Article 36, (d).