Reorganization of the power market

The project has focused on the reorganization of the electricity market

in Norway. During the last few years, the project has also analyzed
how international legislation affects the Norwegian electricity market.

Photo: Colourbox.com

About the project

The researchers has examined how the electricity market transports electricity, which types of electricity
agreements were entered into with large and small consumers and what rights of cut off the supply
companies had over those in default of payment.
In recent years, the researchers have investigated how the EU directives incorporated in the EEA
Agreement have influenced Norwegian energy law. Directives from Brussels lead among other things to
the split up of network functions and revenue functions in Norwegian electricity companies. Independent
companies were set up to own and run network functions even though they did not have interests in
production and the sale of power. Further, the research covers trade of power abroad. The production of
offshore wind power is a future research topic .

Objectives
The project aims as holding itself updated on all new laws, especially related to renewable energy. The
intention is also that the research should be of use to the Norwegian government in reorganizing the
electricity market.

Outcomes
Four doctoral theses are related to the reorganization of the electricity market:

Investing in EU energy security - Exploring the regulatory approach to tomorrows electricity

production by Henrik Bjrnebye.

Independent Power Projects in Developing Countries: Legal Investment Protection and

Consequences for Development by Henrik Inadomi

Om informasjonsplikt og markedsatferd i det finansielle kraftmarkedet ( the duty of disclosure and

conduct in the financial electricity market) by Odd-Harald B. Wasenden

Det indre transportmarkedet (the internal transport market) by Anne-Karin Nesdam

Research fellow Erlend Leonhardsen is working on a doctoral thesis titled: The organization of
the independent regulator

Sub-project
Common interests, common means? Renewable energy promotion as an environmental objective.
Researcher Thea Sveen.

Background
The project was initiated by the Norwegian Institute of Maritime Law, Department of petroleum and energy
law. The project started in 2001 and is at present estimated to run until autumn 2012. The theoretical
basis for the project is the existence of special administrative laws and EEA law.

Financing
The project is financed to the amount of 1,5 million kroner annually by the Ministry of Petroleum and
Energy
The Norwegian Research Council has granted project support until the autumn 2012.

Cooperation
The project cooperates with the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Norwegian Water Resources
and Energy directorate (NVE)
The project exchanges information on EU legislation and the power market with the researchers in the
Netherlands through the annual Energy Law Report.