Commission plans would shift control of Europe’s electricity network away from national authorities
Brussels is looking to bolster the EU energy regulator ACER as it clashes with national players over who should govern Europe’s emerging supergrid.
Its new director, however, could herald a major shake-up. Christof Lessenich, a senior European Commission official, is poised to take the helm, as Euractiv previously reported.
It is the first time the Commission, which exerts considerable influence over the agency, has pushed through one of its own. ACER’s previous directors came from Italian and Danish regulatory backgrounds.
The appointment, which has yet to be formally announced, comes as Brussels seeks a bigger say in managing the EU’s electricity grid and developing a European supergrid that officials hope could lead to lower electricity bills.
