International

• Annual Reports
  • • The complete list of the CEER Annual Reports can be found here.
      
      The annual reports of Cyprus can be found in the links below

      • NR – 2023
      • NR – 2022
      • NR – 2021
      • NR – 2020
      • NR – 2019
      • NR – 2018
      • NR – 2017
      • NR - 2016
      • NR - 2015
      • NR - 2013
      • NR - 2012
      • NR - 2011
      • NR - 2010
      • NR - 2009
      • NR - 2008
      • NR - 2007
      • NR - 2006
      • NR - 2005
• European and International Organisations/Institutions
  • European and International Organisations / Institutions
    • 
      The Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) cooperates with the following European and International Organizations / Institutions:
       

      • Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
      • Council of European Regulators of Energy (CEER)
      • International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER)
      • Association of Mediterranean Regulators for Electricity and Natural Gas (MEDREG)
      • Energy Community Regulatory Council (ECRB)
  • ACER
    • Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
      
      The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is a Community body with legal personality established based on the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 713/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing an Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (RAE) . ACER officially started operating in March 2011 and has its headquarters in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
      
      The main objective of the Agency is to assist and coordinate the actions of national energy regulators at European Union (EU) level, to ensure the integration of the electricity and gas market and to harmonize regulatory frameworks within the framework of its objectives Energy policy of the EU.
      
      It also advises the European Commission to make binding decisions for the Member States. It intervenes with recommendations for resolving disputes between regulators and contributes to the creation of common pan-European codes.
      
      ACER plays a central role in the development of a European-level and market-based network to strengthen competition. The Agency coordinates regional and interregional initiatives that contribute to market integration. It monitors the work of the European Networks of Transmission System Operators (ENTSOs) and monitors the general functioning of the gas and electricity markets, and in particular the operation of wholesale energy trading. In 2011, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1227/2011 on the wholesale energy market integrity and transparency (REMIT) and 2013, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 on the guidelines for trans-European Energy infrastructure, ACER was tasked with additional tasks.
      
      The Agency consists of the Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by the European Institutions, the Regulatory Council, which is made up of senior representatives of the EU Member States' RAEs and the Board of Appeal, which is subject to the Agency but independent of Its administrative and regulatory structures and which is dealing with appeals against ACER's decisions.
      
      Cyprus is represented in the Regulatory Board by the President of CERA.
      
      Website: www.acer.europa.eu
      
  • CEER
    • Council of European Regulators of Energy (CEER)
      
      The Council of European Regulators of Energy (CEER) was established in 2000 and was the first autonomous community of independent energy regulators in Europe. It is a non-profit organization and has its headquarters in Brussels.
      
      The main objective of CEER is to promote a single, competitive, efficient and sustainable internal gas and electricity market in Europe. Through CEER, national regulators have the opportunity to cooperate and exchange information and best practices. It provides assistance to the national energy regulators of Europe and is their voice in the EU as well as at the international level.
      
      It works very closely with the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). It is also a member of the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER), which brings together similar organizations from all over the world, including NARUC (America), ERRA (Central / Eastern Europe) and MEDREG (Mediterranean Region).
      
      The Board consists of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors. It organizes its work through Working Groups WG, which can be supported by Task Forces TFs that are tasked with specific issues. OCEER has created 7 Working Groups.
      
      Website: www.ceer.eu
      
  • ICER
    • International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER)
      
      The International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER) is a voluntary framework for cooperation between energy regulators from around the world.
      
      ICER was established at the WFER World Congress in Athens in 2009. The results of its work are presented at WFER every three years.
      
      Its main objectives are to support international cooperation, the exchange of information and best practice among Energy Regulators, to raise public awareness of energy issues, to understand energy regulation and its role in addressing a wide range of societal Economic, environmental and market issues.
      
      CERA is a member of ICER.
      
      Website: www.icer-regulators.net
  • MEDREG
    • Association of Mediterranean Regulators for Electricity and Natural Gas (MEDREG)
      
      MedReg is the Union of Energy Regulators of the Mediterranean, founded in 2007, according to the Italian law and based in Rome. Today it consists of 24 Regulatory Authorities of Energy (ERE), Algeria (CREG and ARI), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SERC), Croatia (HERA), Cyprus (CERA), Egypt (RAEE) ), Israel (PUA and NGA), Italy (AEEGSI), Jordan (EMRC and MEMR), Libya (ME), Malta (REWS), Montenegro (REGAGEN), Morocco (MEMEE), Palestine (PERC) , Slovenia (AGEN-RS), Spain (CNMC), Tunisia (MIT) and Turkey (EMRA)).
      
      MedReg promotes a transparent, stable and harmonized regulatory framework in the Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on market integration and infrastructure investment as well as on consumer protection and stakeholder cooperation in the Mediterranean basin, in order to apply the conditions To create a future Mediterranean Energy Community, based on a bottom-up approach.
      
      MedReg is actively supported by the EU and the Council of European Regulators of Energy (CEER). The MedReg General Assembly meets twice a year.
      
      Cyprus is represented at the General Assemblies by the Vice President of CERA.
      
      Website: medreg-regulators.org
      
  • ECRB
    • Energy Community
      
      The Energy Community was established by the International Treaty signed in Athens in 2005. The Treaty establishing the Energy Community unites the European Union and the countries of the Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea region.
      
      Its main objectives are to attract investment in energy production and networks to ensure a stable and continuous supply of energy, to contribute to the integration of the energy market, to enhance security of supply, to promote environmental protection and to enhance regional competition .
      
      The Energy Community consists of eight Contracting Parties, one Candidate, four Observers and twenty Participants.
      
      Website: www.energy-community.org
      
      Energy Community Regulatory Council (ECRB)
      
      The Energy Community Regulatory Council (ECRB) is the coordination platform for the exchange of knowledge and the development of best practices for the regulated electricity and gas markets in the Energy Community. Its mission is to facilitate the development of competitive and integrated gas and electricity markets for the benefit of the Energy Community of businesses and citizens.
      
      Under the Treaty, the Board of Regulators:

      • Advises the Council of Ministers or the Permanent High Level Group on the details of legal, technical and regulatory rules;
      • Issue recommendations on cross-border disputes between two or more regulators at the request of any of them;
      • Take measures, if so authorized by the Council of Ministers;
      • Adopts Procedural Acts.

      
      The ECRB consists of representatives of the regulatory authorities of the eight Contracting Parties (Albania (EER), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SERC), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (ERC), Montenegro (REGAGEN), Serbia (AERS), Moldova (ANRE) (NEURC) and Kosovo (ERO)). The ECRB also includes thirteen representatives of regulators without the right to vote, the so-called Participants (Austria), Bulgaria (SEWRC), Croatia (HERA), Cyprus (CERA), Germany (BNetzA), Greece (RAE) (MEKH), Italy (AEEGSI), Romania (ANRE) and an ACER representative). In addition, observer status is entrusted to two regulators (Georgia (GNERC) and Turkey (EMRA)).
       

      Website: www.energy-community.org/portal/page/portal/ENC_HOME/ENERGY_COMMUNITY/Institutions/ECRB
      
• European and other Fora
  • • Conferences of the European Union
      
      The European Commission set up the Florence Forum in 1998 to create a common electricity market within the EU's internal market. One year later, the Madrid Forum for the Development of Natural Gas ), Equivalent to the Florence Congress, for the Natural Gas sector. The European Regulatory Conferences are convened once a year with the participation of the Commission, the Member States, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of energy regulators and transmission system operators, representatives of traders' organizations, consumers, transport network users, and the organized energy markets and have now emerged as informal advisory bodies in the Community and areas where the problems of the internal market are emerging but also the promotion of solutions to them. The European Regulatory Conferences of Florence and Madrid formed the basis for the establishment of the London Forum, which provides support to consumers for the problems they face in the energy market and seeks solutions. The first meeting of the Conference took place on 28 October 2008 in London. They also formed the basis for the establishment of the European Forum for Sustainable Energy (Bucharest Forum), which is dedicated to promoting sustainable energy.
      
      CERA systematically monitors the European Energy Conferences and participates in their work.
      
      More information on European conferences, as well as previous or planned meetings, is available on the European Commission's website.
       

      Website: ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events

      
      
      Conferences of the Energy Community
      
      The creation of the Energy Conferences Community reflects the development of the Energy Community. The Energy Conferences gather all relevant members. Under the chairmanship of a representative of the European Union, the Conferences adopt conclusions and transmit them to the Permanent High Level Group. The first electricity conference, the Athens Regulatory Conference, was convened in 2002, prior to the signing of the Treaty. Its meetings paved the way for the signing of the Athens Memorandum in 2002 and later for the drafting of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community. It worked base on the standards of the Florence Congress in the European Union. The Congress meets once a year in Athens. The Regulatory Congress of the Energy Community for Natural Gas runs once a year in Slovenia. The provisions of the Congress were part of the Athens process, even before the entry into force of the Treaty. The Treaty makes explicit reference to the creation of the Natural Gas Conference. The Oil Review Regulator was created by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 2008 to help implement the acquis of the Energy Community of Petroleum. The first session took place in 2009 and since then they meet once a year in Belgrade. The Regulatory Conference on Social Policy completes the Energy Community Conference System. It met each year from 2007 to 2014. It was set up to review the implementation of the principles set out in the Memorandum of Cooperation on Social Issues adopted in 2007.
      
      More information on Energy Community Conferences, as well as previous or planned meetings, are available on the Energy Community website.
       

      Website: www.energy-community.org/portal/page/portal/ENC_HOME/ENERGY_COMMUNITY/Institutions/Fora
• News and Public Consultations
  • • Public Consultations
       

      • Public consultation on Electrical Power - Deadline 16 December 2016 (Link)

      European Commission
       

      • Publication of 2050 Study on the role of Trans-European gas infrastructure. The Study on the role of Trans-European gas infrastructure in the light of the 2050 decarbonisation targets has been recently published by the Commission (Study). The final report will be presented on 5 November (13:45-17:30) in Brussels, according to an invitation from the Commission circulated under the AGWG mailing list.
      • The European Parliament and the Council reached a compromise text on the proposal revising the Security of Gas Supply Regulation following their final trilogue meeting held on 26 April 2017. 

      CEER
       

      • CEER on the 28th of January, 2020 published its latest edition of the CEER Report on Regulatory Frameworks for European Energy Networks (Link)
      • CEER on 24 July 2019 published a Report on How to Foster LNG Markets in Europe (Link)
      • CEER announced the new GDPR for EU agencies that has been published in the Official Journal on 21 November 2018 (Link)
      • CEER on 9th October 2018 published its Key Positions on the “New Deal for Consumers”, on Proposed Directive on Better Enforcement and Modernisation of EU Consumer Protection Rules. (Document)
      • CEER published on 17th October, 2018 the Status Review on Application of the Supply Standard Foreseen in the Security of Supply Regulation (Reg 994/2010 and Reg 2017/1938). The status review aims to gain insights regarding the application of the supply standard at national level, to identify current approaches and to share experiences as reported by the National Regulatory Authorities. (Document)
      • CEER welcomes the Georgian Energy Regulator (GNERC) - 30/06/17. The Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC1) has joined the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER2). GNERC joins CEER as an Observer, with effect from 1 July 2017.
      • CEER published a Regulatory White Paper on Efficient System Operation - 16/06/17 (Link)
      • White Paper on efficient wholesale price formation - 30/05/17 (Text)
      • White Paper on facilitating flexibility of the electricity system - 23/05/17 (Text)
      • White Paper on the role of the electricity Distribution System Operator (DSO) - 16/05/17 (Text)
      • CEER report on barriers for gas storage product development  (Link)
      • Status Review on RES Support Schemes (Text)
      • 2017 Handbook for National Energy Regulators - How to assess retail market functioning - 16/2/17 (Link)
      • Report on Investment Conditions in European Countries - 24/01/17 (Text)
      • Commission’s Clean Energy proposals: Regulators call for flexible regulation and effective regulatory oversight –ACER/CEER Press Release -  23/01/17 (Text)
      • Guidelines of Good Practice on Electricity Distribution Network Tariffs - 23/01/2017 (Text)

      
      ACER
       

      • The Agency has published on 20 November, 2018 a notice to third parties inviting them to send any observations they may have on the subject of the HUAT incremental capacity project proposal by 18 January 2019. (Text)
      • ACER published on 31 October 2018  an Opinion reviewing the most recently published national gas network development plans (NDPs) in view of assessing their consistency with the EU Ten-Year Network Development Plan (EU TYNDP) issued by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for gas (ENTSOG). This Opinion continues the Agency’s review carried out in 2016, and leads to recommendations for improving the consistency of future NDPs with the EU TYNDP. (Link)
      • ACER published on the 15th of December 2017 a No-action Letter to further extend the relief reporting contracts upon the request of the Agenc (Link)
      • ACER is organising a workshop in Ljubljana on 11 September on the main body of the Harmonized Allocation Rules (HAR) for long-term electricity transmission rights submitted by all TSOs in accordance with the EU Regulation establishing a Guideline on Forward Capacity Allocation. The aim of HARs is to create a level-playing field across Europe. - 31/08/17 (Link) 
      • ACER and ENTSOG upgraded on the functionality platform to support the implementation of gas network codes - 01/08/17 (Link) 
      • Fourth report on Contractual Congestion, a situation in which the level of firm capacity demand exceeds the technical capacity. ACER has identified congestion at 9% of the entry and exist sides of the Interconnection Points (‘IPs’) within the EU Gas Transmission Network - 31/05/17 (Text)
      • ACER's position on potential improvements to the Energy Infrastructure Package - 31/05/17 (Text)
      • White Paper on efficient wholesale price formation - 30/05/17 (Text)
      • White Paper on facilitating flexibility of the electricity system - 23/05/17 (Text)
      • ACER updated its Manual of Procedures (MoP) on data reporting - 18/05/17 (Link)
      • ACER updated its frequently asked questions on REMIT fundamental data and inside information - 18/05/17 (Link)
      • White Paper on the role of the electricity Distribution System Operator (DSO) - 16/05/17 (Text)
      • The Network Codes for the Energy Union: Joining forces on implementation - 03/05/17 (Link)
      • ACER finds ENTSOG’s plan for gas infrastructure contributes to non-discrimination and effective competition, but should improve its cost analysis -20/03/17(Text)
      • Gas Regional Initiatives Status Review Report informing on the voluntary progress made towards the regional gas markets’ integration (Text)
      • Οι καταναλωτές Φυσικού Αερίου άρχισαν να επωφελούνται από χαμηλότερες χονδρικές τιμές ενέργειας - 9/11/16 (Text)
      • Gas consumers finally start to benefit from lower wholesale energy prices - 09/11/2016 (Link)
      • Wholesale gas prices continue to fall in the EU but electricity prices end their decreasing trend in some countries - 19/09/2016 (Link)

      
      MEDREG
       

      • Mediterranean Energy Regulators gathered in Athens for the Association’s 23rd General Assembly. On this occasion, MEDREG unveiled the first activities of its new initiative for “Support to Regulatory Reforms”, which offers tailored and personalized assistance to members on national regulatory issues - 24/05/17 (Text) 
      • News on the energy sector in the Mediterranean (Link)

      ENTSOG
      
       

      • ENTSOG published on the 23rd of October, 2018  the Adapted 2nd CBA Methodology for gas infrastructure projects (Press Release) (Documentation)
• Co-funded Programs
  • FLEXITRANSTORE
    • Integrated Platform for Increased FLEXIbility in smart TRANSmission grids with STORage Entities and large penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (FLEXITRANSTORE)
      
      The FLEXITRANSTORE research project is an EU-funded project, part of HORIZON 2020 (Grant Agreement No. 774407), which started on 1 November 2017 and will last 48 months, that is until 31 October 2021.
       
      The project joint venture consists of 30 partners, including transmission and distribution systems operators, energy regulators, market operators, service providers and manufacturers. The partners of Cyprus are the TSOC, the DSO, the University of Cyprus and CERA.
       
      The FLEXITRANSTORE research program is essentially a platform that will offer flexibility to smart network grids with storage and large penetration of RES. The program aims to contribute to the development of a pan-European transmission network with high flexibility and high levels of interconnection.
       
      Through the program, innovative smart network technologies, control and storage methods and new market approaches will be developed, installed and tested through 8 pilot facilities (Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovenia and Spain). One of these facilities will be installed at the Athienou substation in Cyprus. It is an Active Distribution Node (ADN) at the Athienou substation, with a 1MW storage system capacity and up to 2MWh energy, in combination with additional facilities related to hardware and software at various points for the integration, monitoring and control of the systems, most of which are installed at the substation as the border point between the transmission and distribution systems with the aim of utilizing the substation as ADN by the system operators (TSOC and DSO). The installation was expected to start in early 2020, however, due to restrictions and measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed. The installation is expected to be completed in 2021, while its operation will continue at least until the end of the FLEXITRANSTORE project.
       
      More information can be found in the website: http://www.flexitranstore.eu/
  • EMPOWER
    • Empowering the Cyprus power system with sustainable and intelligent technologies (EMPOWER)
      
      The EMPOWER program is one of the RESTART 2016-2020 programs of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), for Research, Technological Development and Innovation.
       
      THE EMPOWER brings together all the key stakeholders of the electricity sector in Cyprus with the aim of developing sustainable and intelligent technologies and tools for the electricity system of Cyprus. EMPOWER aims to improve the effectiveness of Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Cyprus, focusing on the priority area of energy.
       
      The general objectives of EMPOWER are:

      • Development of the electricity system of Cyprus
      • Increase of the share of RES in the energy mix of Cyprus
      • Development of important links and cooperation between members of the quadruple helix (research centres, higher education institutions, businesses, policy makers and other stakeholders)

       
      More information can be found in the website: https://www2.kios.ucy.ac.cy/empower/
  • BUSFUELSAVINGS
    • Integration of innovative green technologies on existing public transportation buses for 5% to 30% fuel savings (BUSFUELSAVINGS)
      
      The BUSFUELSAVINGS program is one of the RESTART 2016-2020 programs of RIF for Research, Technological Development and Innovation.
       
      Cyprus's public transport consists of 2,600 buses, which consume about 60,000,000 liters of diesel per year. High fuel consumption is a significant cost for transport companies, which are struggling to survive through government subsidies. In addition, the mass use of diesel causes environmental pollution with all the negative impacts on the quality of life of society.
       
      The aim of the BUSFUELSAVINGS project, is to reduce this problem by reducing bus fuel consumption by 5-30% and reducing emissions (particles, non-combustible hydrocarbons, CO₂, CO, NO_x) by >20%. The only way to achieve this, is to increase the efficiency of the existing buses by integrating them into the existing machines of an innovative, green technology, such as the HHO gas generator.
       
      The project is a large-scale, interdisciplinary collaboration, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Technological Development and Innovation Research System and to link with the productive base in transportation. It will produce specific results to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and will have an impact on the economic growth and the quality of life. It will also create new businesses and jobs that are expected to contribute positively to tackling unemployment.
       
      More information can be found in the website: http://www.talos-rtd.com/en/view/project?pid=563
  • SREC
    • Innovative storage methods for improving the balance of RES in Cyprus - Storage and Renewables Electrifying Cyprus (SREC)
      
      The SREC program is one of the RESTART 2016-2020 programs of RIF for Research, Technological Development and Innovation.
       
      Energy storage is a methodology that necessarily accompanies the conversion and use of energy from RES. It is an important parameter in trying to increase the share of RES injected into networks. In isolated networks such as that of Cyprus, the need for storage is a high priority for reasons such as security of supply, utilization of infrastructure, inflow of RES, reduction of emissions, domestic added value and sustainability.
       
      During the implementation of the SREC project, storage / hybridization technologies with RES will be explored, new storage / hybridization combinations suitable for Cyprus will be developed, will examine the possibility and consequences of storage on various scale sizes and applications in combination with "smart networks" and will quantify the results of storage / hybridization in their cooperation with the networks, energy costs, utilization and development of infrastructure, domestic added value and sustainability.
       
      In addition, the purpose of the SREC project is the development and implementation of a regulatory framework that will allow the operation and integration into the network of aggregation projects so that projects can be implemented. Also, the goal is to locate storage infrastructures throughout Cyprus in order to select 2 medium scale of them as prototypes. These two prototype projects will be studied and licensed utilizing the processes that will be developed in this project and will eventually be presented for implementation and operation to stakeholders.
       
      At the end of the project, it is expected that there will be specific available energy storage and hybridization technologies suitable for implementation in Cyprus, proposals for their location, regulatory framework, and two prototype projects ready for construction and operation.
       
      More information can be found in the website: http://www.talos-rtd.com/en/view/project?pid=564
  • LightSense
    • Intelligent light sensing for next generation smart grids (LightSense)
      
      The Lightsense program is one of the RESTART 2016-2020 programs of RIF for Research, Technological Development and Innovation.
       
      The project's primary objective is to respond in a holistic way to the energy efficiency, continuity, and security needs of power distribution networks within Cyprus, regarding timely fault prevention and intrusion detection.
      The extensive goals are to:

      • Exploit the optical sensing capabilities of the existing optical fiber, on-grid network, to enable the remote and automated, continuous, and timely monitoring of the grid infrastructure integrity of the principal energy supplier within Cyprus;
      • Extract critical information, such as the locations of transmission inefficiencies, such as hot-spots, and provide predictive information regarding the emergence and location of possible faults, in order to ensure reliability and continuity of supply;
      • Address the lack of informed policy with regard to issues of security and reliability in the context of actively monitoring future smart grids at the operations level, in real-time;
      • Monitor unmanned or unsupervised critical infrastructure to prevent unauthorised interference and access.
  • ELECTRA
    • Modernising the distribution grid for enabling high penetration of photovoltaic electricity through Advanced data analytic operational observability and management (ELECTRA)
      
      The ELECTRA program is one of the RESTART 2016-2020 programs of RIF for Research, Technological Development and Innovation.
       
      Solar energy is vital for the future energy mix of Cyprus and in order to enable large-scale deployment and increase the competitiveness of photovoltaic (PV) technology (both technical and economical), it is important to primarily to safeguard optimal grid integration by modernising and transforming the distribution grid.
       
      This is in line and responds to the objectives of the specific Call for smart growth, S3Cy Priority Sector 2. Energy, Focus area: 2.4.3 Networks for Energy Transportation and Distribution.
       
      It is with this background that this project has been initiated in order to establish a solid research network between partners that will actively embark jointly to target the research challenges in the area of integrating high shares solar PV and specifically, to modernize the future distribution grid, through the active involvement of all key components of the quadruple helix (research, enterprises, end user representatives, policy makers.
       
      The integrated project is a long-range, interdisciplinary cooperation project that primarily foresees addressing the timely challenge for power de-carbonization in a holistic approach by enabling higher shares of PV at the distribution grid. The concerted and integrated activities of the project scope to develop and validate an innovative adaptive multi-service distribution management architecture (endsolution) that enables the efficient, resilient and secure operation of future distribution systems with a high penetration of distributed energy.
       
      Finally, the project will strive to strengthen research activities for truly unlocking the real potential for PV systems and high penetration in the energy mix.