The 8th Region - according to what refers in the official documents of the ECS - covers the Energy Community Contracting Parties and the six neighbouring EU Member States. On EU level the entry into force of the Third Energy Package together with the target of completing the internal energy market by 2014 form the framework for electricity market development.
The Third Energy Package was incorporated in the Energy Community in October 2011 with a transposition deadline by 1 January 2015 the latest. This also includes adopting the European Network Codes, once legally binding on European level, in the Energy Community.
The goal of integrating the seven European electricity regions into a single market area is addressed through the Regional Initiatives process which falls under ACER’s responsibility and focuses on four cross-regional roadmaps:
• Capacity calculation
• Long term capacity allocation
• DA capacity allocation (Market coupling)
• Continuous mechanisms for implicit cross border intraday trading
The 8th Region participates in ACER’s coordination activity. The Regional Action Plan for Wholesale Market Opening in South East Europe (SEE RAP) defines the steps for regional market integration in the 8th Region streamlined with the milestones and actions of the European electricity target model and the four cross-regional roadmaps.