Competition in the European electricity markets – outcomes of a Delphi study

Internal European electricity markets are a target set by the European Union (EU) and under development at present. This article presents the findings of a Delphi study focusing on the prospects of European electricity markets. The main aim is to report the obstacles that participants in the survey felt were the most critical ones affecting competition in the European electricity markets of the future. The respondents were European electricity market specialists, and the themes of the survey ranged from transmission networks and electricity trade to demand flexibility. One of the key findings was shared concern over the adequacy of transmission network capacity in Europe. It was considered that technical issues, such as existing transmission network bottlenecks, are most likely to form obstacles to creating common European electricity markets if new capacity is not built quickly enough. It was seen by the panellists that electricity trading arrangements, whilst important, are unlikely to form a barrier to the development of an internal electricity market. It was noted that electricity trading issues have recently been the subject of development work in the EU.

► The internal electricity market is a priority of the European Union.
► The Delphi method was used to study competition in the European electricity markets.
► The congested grid hampers the development of internal electricity markets in Europe.
► The significance of a transmission network will be emphasised in the future.
► Electricity trading arrangements are likely to be solved.