1. Empowering consumers in retail and wholesale markets
Patricia de Suzzoni, CEER Customers & Retail Markets Working Group Chair
CEER Annual Conference, 19 September 2017

2. Enhancing Retail Markets and Empowering Customers
The supplier switching process should take place in 24 hours, any working day
Billing information should be detailed, but we should refrain from making the consumer’s bill more complex and use more relevant channels such as digital media
The availability of at least one reliable comparison tool should be required, but refrain from the EU mandating energy sector-specific certification
Suppliers should be enabled to offer dynamic prices - but requiring them to be provided could harm retail competition
Equipping consumers with a smart meter is a generally a positive step, but on- demand smart meter roll-out should only be done based on cost-benefit analysis
Data interoperability is more important for retail functioning than a common EU data standard
The overall aim of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) is to facilitate the creation of a single, competitive, efficient and sustainable internal market for gas and electricity in Europe.
CEER acts as a platform for cooperation, information exchange and assistance between Europe's national energy regulators and is their interface at EU and international level. On EU issues, CEER works very closely with (and supports) the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
CEER actively promotes an investment-friendly and harmonised regulatory environment, and consistent application of existing EU legislation.
CEER also strives to share regulatory best practice worldwide through its membership in the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER).

3. Shaping Regulation on Renewable Self-Consumers and Energy Communities
We welcome innovation, choice and consumer empowerment, through self- consumption and renewable/local energy communities (LECs)
However, there should be no cross-subsidisation between active and non-active customers, whether individuals or in communities
Self consumption and energy communities should develop on the basis of fair network and system cost allocation
Net metering of self-generation should be avoided
Consumer rights should be preserved, including the right to switch supplier and voluntary participation in LECs
Regulators to decide on criteria for whether and where a LEC can operate a network and LECs acting as DSOs must have the same responsibilities and fall under the same regulatory oversight
Clarity of definitions on active customers vs self-consumers and renewable energy communities vs local energy communities would be helpful, notably regarding the role of final customers in communities
The overall aim of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) is to facilitate the creation of a single, competitive, efficient and sustainable internal market for gas and electricity in Europe.
CEER acts as a platform for cooperation, information exchange and assistance between Europe's national energy regulators and is their interface at EU and international level. On EU issues, CEER works very closely with (and supports) the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
CEER actively promotes an investment-friendly and harmonised regulatory environment, and consistent application of existing EU legislation.
CEER also strives to share regulatory best practice worldwide through its membership in the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER).