Current situation of central Europe and beyond after the EU-Directive on electricity has come into force

Switzerland is intensively interconnected in the centre of the European power system both in terms of tie-line capacity and cross-border trade. Not (yet) being a member of the EU, negotiations about a bilateral arrangement on electricity exchanges between the EU and Swiss authorities have been initiated. Switzerland is fully integrated in the activities of the UCPTE and has an observer status in the Eurelectric bodies which have worked out the principal suggestions for the handling of cross-border and transit exchanges of electricity. The draft of an Electricity Market Law (EMG) has been published by the Swiss authorities. An updated version taking into account the comments of the involved parties is expected for spring 1999. The draft in general complies with the requirements of the EU-Directive with the exception of the time schedule for the market opening steps. The general principles for opening up of the electricity market in Switzerland are discussed as is the compatibility of different national network rules for cross-border power exchange.