French Minister For European Affairs Thierry Repentin Visits European Power Exchange EPEX SPOT - An Example Of Successful Franco-German Cooperation In The Energy Sector – French-German Office For Renewable Energy Pleads For A Coordinated Energy Transition

The French Minister for European Affairs, Thierry Repentin, visited the European Power Exchange EPEX SPOT. The visit took place on 22 January, on the occasion of the Franco-German day, marking the 51st anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, and following the announcement by French President François Hollande to strengthen the Franco-German cooperation in the energy sector. Jean-François Conil-Lacoste, Chairman of the Management Board of EPEX SPOT, explained the functioning of the Power Exchange and the relevance of price formation on Europe’s wholesale power markets.

Thierry Repentin, after his tour at the European Power Exchange, praised EPEX SPOT as a key actor of the cooperation between Germany and France in the energy sector. “EPEX SPOT and the French-German Office for Renewable Energy illustrate the innovative potential of our two countries regarding the cooperation in the energy sector. Both can build on European initiatives strengthening the energy market.”

Jean-François Conil-Lacoste said: “The European Power Exchange relies on a strong fundament which was built by a trustful partnership between French and German entrepreneurs five years ago. Since then, our Franco-German DNA has evolved into a truly European one. This is the basis for integrating European power markets.”

Sven Rösner, Deputy Director of the French-German Office for Renewable Energy, added: “Renewables have become a natural part of the power system. EPEX SPOT has proven its fundamental role in their market integration. A stronger Franco-German cooperation in terms of renewables will facilitate the energy transition in both countries.”

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The European Power Exchange EPEX SPOT SE was created by the merger of the power spot activities (Day-Ahead and Intraday) of the French and the German Energy Exchanges. Both power wholesale markets, together with the Swiss and Austrian ones, have been operated under one common roof ever since. Jointly, these countries account for more than one third of the European power consumption. EPEX SPOT is a European company (Societas Europaea) based in Paris with branches in Leipzig and Vienna. In 2013, 346 TWh were traded on EPEX SPOT’s markets.

The French-German Office for Renewable Energies is a French-German association in charge of the promotion of renewable energies, building connections between French and German actors of the sector and the exchange of information and best practices between France and Germany. The Office is supported by the professional associations and companies from both countries and is based within the ministries in charge of energy in France and Germany.