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CRE
3 minutes to understand CRE
CRE, the French Energy Regulatory Commission, was created on 24 March 2000. Its role is to ensure that the electricity and gas markets in France function smoothly, for the benefit of end consumers and in line with energy policy objectives.
Independence
from the energy market actors in fulfilling statutory roles
Transparency
in work produced and the procedures for drafting official decisions and opinions
Impartiality
to ensure the neutrality, fairness and objectivity of official decisions and opinions
Participating
in the construction of the internal European market in energy
Contributing
to the smooth functioning of the electricity and natural gas markets, for the benefit of end consumers
Implementing certain mechanisms
to support renewable energies, by organising tender processes
Regulating the networks
for gas and electricity, which are monopolies: setting tariffs and ensuring they do not give any user an undue advantage
Ensuring that consumers
are properly informed
An independent administrative authority
Guaranteeing independence
for system operators
Establishing harmonised rules
for the energy networks and markets, to ensure that energy is able to circulate freely between EU Member States
Ensuring competition
between energy suppliers for the benefit of consumers
Ensuring that consumers
have access to the best service at a fair price
21,338
million euros
CRE’s operating budget is proposed by the commission to the French Finance Minister, and subsequently included in finance legislation. The funds allocated are accounted for in the general public sector budget. CRE is subject to over-sight by the Cour des comptes, the French Court of Auditors.
25,3
billion euros
Charges fixed by CRE for the tariffs for the electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks
156 staff
(except collegial board)
as of 31st December 2021
The collegial board
Five commissioners, appointed for their legal, economic and technical qualifications, determine the main orientations and adopt decisions and opinions based on expert assessments from the various departments, under the authority of the president and chief executive.
CoRDiS
The Dispute Settlement and Sanctions Committee, known by its French acroynm “CoRDiS” (Comité de règlement des différends et des sanctions), comprises four members, including two members of the Conseil d’Etat (French Council of State), and two judges from the Cour de cassation (France’s Supreme Court). They are tasked with settling dis-putes concerning access to and use of the public electricity and gas networks between operators and users, and also with penalising infringements of the Energy Code.
16
public consultations
77
market participants heard by the collegial board
15
appearances by the president, chief executive and departments of CRE before the French parliament
53
commission meetings
13
decisions by the CoRDiS
2000
Proposes tariffs for using the networks
Gives its opinion on regulated electricity tariffs
Assesses public service charges, arranges tenders for renewable energies
Settles disputes concerning network access
2006
Monitors the wholesale electricity and gas markets
2010
Monitors the wholesale CO2 markets
Implements ARENH (access right to nuclear power) and the capacity mechanism
2011
Sets tariffs for using the networks
Certifies transmission system operators
Gives the go-ahead for deployment of Linky and Gazpar meters
2015
Takes on 13 new roles in accordance with the “Energy Transition” Law (gas storage regulation, smart grid trials, etc.)
Able to audit information collected in the course of its work, with businesses covering the costs
2016
Proposes regulated electricity tariffs (“blue tariffs”)
2017
Regulates gas storage under the “Hydrocarbons” Law
2018
Obtains new responsibilities on supervising capacity mechanisms
2019
Implementation of the “Clean Energy Package”
New competencies on the phasing out of gas regulated prices and on the monitoring of electricity regulated prices
Implementation of the French “regulatory sandbox”
Approval of connection areas for biogas production facilities
2020
Settlement of the CSPE dispute by means of a transaction
2021
Review of contracts for photovoltaic installations >250 kWp signed between 2006 and 2010 (investigation of the safeguard clause)
Monitoring of the biogas certificate market
2022
Implementation of the tariff shield
386
deliberations
20
referrals to the CoRDiS
13
decisions by the CoRDiS