Christian Zinglersen reappointed to lead ACER for next five years

The Administrative Board of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has extended the mandate of Director Christian Zinglersen for another five years. It takes effect from January 1.

ACER said the reappointment of Director Christian Zinglersen ensures its continued leadership at a time of significant challenges in the European Union’s energy markets, ambitious EU energy and climate goals and an expanded role for the agency. The body is on the path of significant growth, reflecting its expanding role following three major legislative packages adopted in 2024, the announcement adds.

“In the context of today’s planetary and geopolitical boundaries and the importance of energy to our society and the economy, the role of ACER in driving an interconnected EU energy ecosystem is vital. This is the mission of the ACER director and leadership for the next five years, said Chair Administrative Board Edit Herczog.

Gas decarbonization in focus

Coupled with its previously mandated work, the reforms, which aim to enhance electricity market integration, strengthen the oversight of energy markets to protect businesses from market abuse and support gas decarbonization, shape the agenda for the years ahead, according to ACER.

The unanimous favorable opinion of the Board of Regulators to the director’s reappointment underscores the national regulators’ belief in Zinglersen’s strong leadership and his dedication to steering the Agency through its evolving mandate, said Chair of the Board of Regulators Clara Poletti.

EU facing tradeoff: competitiveness vs. energy bills

A key challenge facing Europe, and a promise of the European Commission under its new political mandate, is to enhance EU competitiveness while reducing energy bills for companies and households, Zinglersen underscored.

“I am honoured to have the trust and confidence of the ACER Boards to steer the agency through its evolving mandate for the coming years. At ACER, we understand the real-world energy challenges and trade-offs that governments and stakeholders face,” he stated.

A key component will be how Europe’s integrated energy markets evolve in the years ahead, Director Christian Zinglersen asserted. ACER and its members, the national regulatory authorities (NRAs), will have a key role to play if leaders across the EU decide to leverage it as an asset, he added.

“Building trust is not built solely on shared values but also through ACER’s daily graft alongside the NRAs of monitoring energy markets and networks to ensure the rules are respected, removing barriers, increasing transparency, analysing data to detect market manipulation and insider trading, and providing evidence-based insights that help decision-makers make informed decisions about the trade-offs they face. As the saying goes, ‘The only easy day was yesterday’, reflecting that as our energy transition unfolds, there will be ample new and exciting challenges to devote ourselves to,” the agency’s head pointed out.

The ACER Administrative Board’s decision at its meeting on December 11-12 on Zinglersen’s reappointment was based on a proposal by the European Commission and supported by a favorable opinion from the ACER Board of Regulators. Ahead of the decision of the Administrative Board, he appeared before the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, answering questions from its members.