European Union

Third Energy Package (Directive on electricity 2009/72/EC, repealing Directive 2003/54/EC and Directive on gas 2009/73/EC, repealing Directive 2003/55/EC)

Legislative

Eu Directive

Passed in 2009

The development of a resilient and integrated energy market across the EU - the Internal Energy Market - has been supported by the subsequent Energy Packages. The First Energy Package concerned common rules for the internal market in electricity and for the internal market in natural gas. It was updated in 2003 by the Second Energy Package, which enabled new gas and electricity suppliers to enter Member States' markets and enabled consumers to choose their own gas and electricity suppliers. The Third Energy Package:

regulates transmission network ownership by ensuring a clear separation of supply and production activities from network operation through three models of organisation: full 'ownership unbundling', independent system operator and independent transmission operator;
ensures more effective regulatory oversight from truly independent national energy regulators, strengthening and harmonising the competences and the independence of national regulators so as to allow effective and non-discriminatory access to the transmission networks;
reinforces consumer protection and ensures the protection of vulnerable consumers;
regulates third party access to gas storage and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, and lays down rules concerning transparency and regular reporting about gas reserves;
promotes regional solidarity by requiring Member States to co-operate in the event of severe disruptions of gas supply, by co-ordinating national emergency measures and developing gas interconnections.

Directive 2019/692 amends Directive 2009/73/EC (on gas markets).