Expanding RTE’s influence in Europe
By coordinating RTE’s operations on a European scale and by strengthening its ties with other TSOs, RTE is seeking to expand its influence.
Enacted in late 2018, Europe’s legislative package entitled “Clean energy for all Europeans” states that the legislation and regulation of the electricity sector and of RTE’s activities are largely European. For purposes of its negotiation, RTE produced impact studies, prepared substantiations and ran educational campaigns, either directly with the European institutions via its Brussels-based office or via professional communication channels. These actions helped to adjust some of the provisions that were not taking sufficient account of the power system’s actual situation. The challenge is now to roll out the energy package in a consistent and coordinated manner by leveraging the advantages of RTE’s industrial model, its innovative talents – including its ability to combine power grids and digital solutions – and its European initiatives.
Strengthening ties with our partners
RTE’s influence in Europe also relies on the strengthening of ties with its fellow European TSOs on a number of levels. Firstly, our neighbours with whom RTE is conducting numerous interconnection projects to enhance interdependence and solidarity between European power systems, with France’s grid being located at Europe’s crossroads. Secondly, within the European Network of TSOs for Electricity (ENTSO-E), which plays a key role in the establishment of common operating rules and their associated market mechanisms, where RTE plays an active role through the involvement of numerous employees. Last but not least, through close dialogue between European TSO executives on the subject of shared industrial challenges. The acceleration of the energy transition calls for greater coordination of Europe’s energy policies whilst at the same time strengthening cooperation between TSOs.
Driving new initiatives
Ever since it was founded, RTE has been a stakeholder in numerous European initiatives which have proven their value, such as the establishment of the south-western technical coordination centre, Coreso, the market coupling mechanism and the EPEX SPOT electricity stock exchange. Cooperation between TSOs is part of RTE’s DNA. The successful completion of the energy transition means having to innovate with all stakeholders in tomorrow’s power system. That is why RTE is now involved in several European R&D programmes seeking to develop solutions for tomorrow’s power system, which will be more flexible and more decentralised, while accommodating a growing proportion of renewables. Alongside its European partners and following the Tallinn declaration, which calls for digital solutions to be better integrated into electrical infrastructure, RTE launched the Paris forum on technological step changes within the energy sector. Last but not least, a working group representing European TSOs gave rise to a joint CEO statement in early 2019, calling for stronger coordination of energy policies between States.