The European Energy Law Report XV presents a selection of the most important developments in the field of international, European Union (EU) and national energy and climate law as discussed at the 32nd and 33rd European Energy Law Seminars, which took place in The Hague (the Netherlands) in May 2022 and November 2023 respectively.

Although a wide range of topics were discussed at the seminars, four general themes emerged from the presentations. They range from internal market and climate change developments (Part I), the governance of energy suppliers and the supply chain (Part II), the relationship between the EU and third countries (Part III) and, finally, challenges affecting the energy system and system security (Part IV). These issues are discussed in fourteen chapters divided over four parts of this volume. Noticeably, the impact of the war in Ukraine is a recurring matter in several chapters.

INTERNAL ENERGY MARKET AND CLIMATE CHANGE: JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

Part I offers a review of some landmark legislative and judicial developments with regard to the internal energy market and climate change. Apart from a review of EU case law in the energy sector, this part also offers a review of the effects of climate change litigation on energy companies and a review of the EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package.

The editors are very pleased to present the European Energy Law Report XV. The European Energy Law Report is an initiative taken by the organisers of the European Energy Law Seminar (EELS) which has taken place on a regular basis in the Netherlands since 1989. The aim of this seminar is to present an overview of the most important legal developments in the field of international, EU and national energy and climate law. Whereas the first seminars concentrated on the developments at (then) European Community level, which were the results of the establishment of an Internal Energy Market, the focus has gradually expanded to developments affecting the energy sector such as climate change and security of supply. Likewise the focus extended to developments at the national level following the implementation of the EU directives on the internal energy market, the promotion of renewable energy sources, the mitigation of climate change and the reinforcement of security of supply. This approach can also be found in the present volume.

Similar to the previous European Energy Law Reports, this book includes chapters based on papers presented at the preceding EELS, which normally takes place on an annual basis. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the necessary adjustments to the annual organisation of EELS, this book gathers – in four thematic parts – the main central topics discussed at the EELS of 2022 and 2023. First, it presents in Part I some legislative and judicial developments regarding the Internal Energy Market and climate change mitigation.

The editors are very pleased to present the European Energy Law Report XIV. The European Energy Law Report is an initiative taken by the organizers of the European Energy Law Seminar which has taken place on a regular basis in the Netherlands since 1989. The aim of this seminar is to present an overview of the most important legal developments in the field of international, European Union (EU) and national energy and climate law. Whereas the first seminars concentrated on the developments at the European Community level, which were the results of the establishment of an Internal Energy Market, the focus has now gradually switched to the developments at the national level following the implementation of the EU directives on the internal electricity and gas markets, promoting renewable energy sources, mitigating climate change and securing energy supply. This approach can also be found in the present volume.

Similar to the previous European Energy Law Reports, this book includes chapters based on papers presented at the preceding European Energy Law Seminar (EELS), which is held on an annual basis. In this case, the book covers the main contents of the European Energy Law Seminars of 2020. Although a wide range of topics and developments were discussed at the seminar, we recognise that the common thread is energy transition and cross-border energy activities and their impacts. These issues are discussed in the five parts of this volume. As a preliminary matter, the book starts by presenting three developments that will have an impact on the EU and EU energy law (Part I). These are Brexit and its effects on the EU energy market, followed by a chapter on possible changes of the Energy Charter Treaty and their impact on energy transition, and a chapter reviewing the progression towards the EU’s 20-20-20 goals. The next part (Part II) concentrates on EU case law and in particular on State aid cases in relation to renewable energy sources (and in particular offshore wind) and energy transition measures. Part III reviews some key legal and market developments as well as new infrastructure projects aiming at ensuring cross-border energy flow in Europe. The next two parts discuss two new developments relevant for the energy transition.