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 European legislation, 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.

  • You can now download our high-level impact assessment for electricity market design, which is the most recently ratified element of the CEP.
  • 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
  • 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: click  here  to access 
  • Regulation (EU) 2019/942 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators: click  here  to access  
Joint European Stakeholder Group

The Joint European Stakeholder Group (JESG) covers the development, comitology process and implementation of ENCs. 
A group of people discussing paperwork
Other ENC Documents

All other documents relating to ENCs are available here to download, including factsheets, proposals and consultations.

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.