SFOE report underscores need for binding electricity trading regulations throughout Europe
Bern, 25.11.2003 - The underlying causes of the incident that occurred on 28 September 2003 are the unresolved conflict between the trading interests of the involved countries and operators and the technical and legal requirements for safe and reliable operation of the networks. There is clearly an urgent need for binding regulations such as those foreseen in the new EU ordinance (1228/2003) on cross-border electricity trading, which is due to come into effect on 1 July 2004. It will only be possible to prevent blackouts of the kind that occurred on 28 September if these regulations are implemented in an effective manner throughout Europe. At the request of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), the Swiss Federal Office of Energy investigated the incident of 28 September, and in its report it proposes specific measures aimed at enhancing supply security in Switzerland and Europe.