Regulatory Energy Transition Accelerator

Regional interconnection.

Making best use of regional resources.

Strengthening interconnection between grids can enhance energy security and contribute to decarbonisation by allowing more flexibility in the system.  Particularly for interconnectors between grids in different jurisdictions, regulators’ roles in facilitating and regulating them can be complex, especially in cases where they operate in very different ways.

RETA is working with regulators to understand and facilitate the exchange of good practices on the challenges they face when dealing with cross-jurisdictional interconnection projects. These can span from interregional planning, streamlining decision making and permitting processes, financing and cost recovery mechanisms, capacity use and power trade agreements, to harmonizing technical requirements.

Partners.

Project highlights.

November 2023

Report launch: Institutional Architecture for Regional Power System Integration – Government, Utility and Regulator Roles

In response to the initial survey conducted in February-March 2023, IEA has collaborated with the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and IRENA to produce this first guidance note, as part of a series aiming to help key stakeholders navigate the challenges associated with regional power system interconnectors. This knowledge product focuses on the soft infrastructure of cross-border power exchange and can be accessed here.

Under this RETA flagship project, the IEA, ESMAP and IRENA will continue to collaborate for the upcoming guidance notes that will focus on other aspects identified through the survey of regulators.

May 2023

Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme on Seizing Opportunities with Regional Power Grids 

On 30-31 May 2023, more than 160 policy makers, regulators, utilities, and industry representatives gathered in Singapore for the seventh instalment of the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Hub initiative, co-organised by the IEA and the Energy Market Authority of Singapore.

The IEA took the opportunity to promote RETA’s flagship project on interconnectors during one session consisting in discussing the actions needed by regulators to advance regional power grids.

Link to the media release here.

March 2023

Flagship Project Regional interconnectors’ initial survey

The International Energy Agency and the World Bank are collaborating on a flagship project on interconnectors, to provide examples and tools for regulators to ensure interconnectors increase flexibility in grids and the higher uptake of renewables.

An initial survey of RETA Participants and other energy regulators across 18 countries found that:

  • Institutional architecture, harmonisation of technical and regulatory requirements, planning and investment coordination came out as key challenges for regional interconnection.
  • However, the immediate attention point tends to differ depending on the global region, notably in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Download the summary of the survey results here.

Contact: rena.kuwahata@iea.org