Budget and staffing needs at the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)

This study analyses the role, organisational structure, tasks and financial and human resources of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). ACER plays an important role in the development, integration and functioning of the electricity and gas systems and markets in the EU, and its responsibilities in these domains have since its establishment in 2011 substantially increased. Although its resources have also significantly grown, ACER is facing a structural budget shortage and had to deprioritise, delay or cancel some tasks in recent years. Collection of fees from 2021 should alleviate these limitations. ACER’s request for a higher budget appears reasonable and appropriate given its important contribution to major energy policy priorities, and the fact that its functioning seems efficient and effective.