Three decades after liberalization began, the EU still has national electricity markets rather than a single cross-border one, leaving integration with only modest results.
Member states retain control over energy resources, energy mix and supply structure, so national interests often override EU-level rules and block deeper market harmonization.
A 15% interconnectivity target by 2030 remains too modest to support large power flows, limiting competition, consumer choice and the bloc’s ability to smooth price swings.
Recent reforms aim to ease volatility by speeding renewable sales on intraday markets, lowering short-term market thresholds and promoting long-term power purchase agreements.
Different national energy mixes—from France’s roughly 70% nuclear share to Germany’s nuclear exit—plus state-backed incumbents and partial unbundling still distort competition and weaken EU industrial competitiveness.