The Third Energy Package of European legislation created a need for European Network Codes (ENC) to cover grid connections, markets and system operation. 

These codes are designed to provide a sustainable, secure and competitive electricity market across Europe.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

European legislation

The Third Energy Package facilitates the development of a harmonised European internal energy market. It includes two directives and three regulations, which became law on 3 March 2011.

Clean Energy Package (CEP) 

The CEP is a suite of legislation that originated in the EU, which aims to decarbonise energy and facilitate better outcomes for consumers. It came into force during 2018/19 and covers the following areas: energy performance in buildings; renewable energy; energy efficiency; governance of the energy union; and electricity market design.

  • Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity: click here to access. This has been retained as Statutory Instrument 2020 No. 1006: click here to access
  • Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU: click  here to access 
  • Regulation (EU) 2019/941 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector and repealing Directive 2005/89/EC has been retained as a draft statutory instrument: click  here to access

Commencement of ENCs

All ENCs have now come into force and are EU regulations in their own right. Implementation activities in Great Britain will continue for a number of years. There are eight ENCs required by the Third Energy Package, grouped into three areas: market guidelines, system operation, and grid connection.