ERGEG launched (in Spring 2006), following an ERGEG public consultation on the creation of regional electricity markets, the Electricity Regional Initiative (ERI).  The aim of the ERI is to speed up the integration of Europe's national electricity markets.  The ERI created seven regional electricity markets in Europe, as an interim step to creating a single-EU electricity market.

Each region brings together regulators, companies, Member States, the European Commission and other interested parties to focus on developing and implementing solutions to improve the way in which regional energy markets develop. The seven regions have similar aims (integrating fragmented national electricity markets into regional markets) but their priorities and achievements reflect their different regional concerns. An overall monitoring process at EU level ensures that progress towards a single EU market is not hampered, and that there is convergence and coherence across the regions.

ERGEG monitors and presents Progress Reports to the annual European Regulatory (Florence) Forum on the ERI. Detailed information (on priorities and achievements, public consultations, contact details etc.) on each region is posted in the individual folders for the regions on the left. The monthly online newsletter  European Energy Regulators News contains a Region in the Spotlight and a quarterly update of all regions.  Online Subscribers to this website receive the newsletter with news from their selected electricity region(s), direct to their e-mail box.

An integral part of the Electricity Regional Initiative is the proper involvement of all relevant stakeholders. The Regional Initiative Group consists of the Regional Co-ordination Committee (of regulators), together with the Implementation and Stakeholder Groups. A Lead Regulator has been appointed for each REM to chair and co-ordinate work within the region.  Contact the Lead Regulator to actively participate in the progress to removing barriers to trading electricity in your region.