Institutional Capacity and Regional Electricity Market in Southeast Europe

The implementation and benefits of regional electricity market (REM) in Southeast strongly depend on institutional capacity in these economies. At the same time, the appropriate level of institutional resources is crucial for SEE countries in order to benefit from the REM. The first step of institutional reforms is the establishment of national regulatory agency in the field of energy. All SEECs have adopted the EU reform model and established formally independent regulatory agencies, but the same model copied on those implemented in developed economies obviously is not a guarantee for an effective regulatory process. The barriers for the regulator’s independency can be related to a shortage in human and administrative resources, a lack of political support for the reforms and regulator’s close connections to regulated industry. The second step of institutional reforms necessary for building REM considers regional cooperation and regional institutional activities. SEE countries have implemented the harmonized, uniform approach influenced by EU Directives in the energy sector and this approach requires extensive subordination of national interests.