The development of regional gas markets, together with further liberalisation at a national level, is an important and practical step towards the eventual goal of a competitive single European gas market.  On 25 April 2006, ERGEG launched a Gas Regional Initiative (GRI), made up of  three gas Regional Energy Markets (REMs):

The overall aim of the Gas Regional Initiative is to push forward, at a practical level, the development of regional gas markets in collaboration with industry, Member States, the European Commission and other stakeholders.

At the regional level, the gas REMs tackle barriers to competition, such as the lack of market integration, transparency and balancing issues, highlighted in DG Competition’s energy sector inquiry.

Detailed information (on priorities and achievements, public consultations, contact details etc.) on each REM is posted in the individual folders for the regions on the left.  There is a monthly update on progress in each REM in the monthly online newsletter  European Energy Regulators News.  Online Subscribers to this website receive the newsletter, with news from their selected electricity region(s), direct to their mailbox.

An integral part of the Gas Regional Initiative is the proper involvement of all relevant stakeholders. The Regional Initiative Groups consists of the Regional Co-ordination Committee, 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 in your region to actively participate in the progress to removing barriers to trading gas in your region.