What is the optimal regulatory regime to connect offshore wind infrastructure to land?

In this Debate we focus on the most appropriate regulatory regime for the infrastructure connecting offshore wind parks  to land. In particular, we will assess:

• Whether this infrastructure should be considered as a connection infrastructure for the wind farm or a network element subject to third party access obligations, or a direct line?
• Whether the regulatory treatment of this infrastructure depends on the distance of the wind park from shore or on the fact that the wind park is connected to more than one country and therefore its connection infrastructure could also be used as an interconnector between different countries;
• To what extent the exemption conditions set out in Article 63(1) of the Electricity Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/943) could apply to this infrastructure if were not to be considered aa new ‘interconnector’?  What scope is there for national policy?

Watch the recording:

Programme

Introduction to the Debate | Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

The offshore strategy | Joachim Balke | DG ENER

Regulatory Principles for a Meshed Offshore Grid | Pradyumna Bhagwat | Florence School of Regulation

Panel discussion moderated by Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

Introductory remarks
Carsten Smidt | DUR (Danish NRA) 
Dirk Van Hertem |KU Leuven
Anders Skanlund  | ENTSO-E
Ursula Prall | Becker Büttner Held, Hamburg

Polls for the audience and comments on the outcome

Joachim Balke | DG ENER, European Commission

Concluding remarks

Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University
Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

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The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.