GEODE CHARTER OF PRINCIPLES

GEODE is the European Group of independent energy distribution and distribution -related companies, as well as other organisations  in gas and electricity, privately or publicly owned.  

The mission statement of GEODE is to establish equal opportunity access to European energy infrastrutures for all involved in serving the customer needs on energy, with the aim  to create a truly competitive European energy market.

GEODE members agree with the principles listed below:

1. The accomplishment of the future tasks of the energy industry, i.e. the economically pricing and secure supply in consideration of the climate protection targets and the finite nature of fossil fuels, requires a pluralistic European energy industry. Both international and local energy companies are needed.

2. The principle of sustainability must be the guiding principle of  the whole energy industry and at the same time stable legal framework conditions are necessary to ensure long-term investment cycles.

3. The distributor is a key player to assure a well functioning liberalised market for the quality of supply and to the benefit of the consumer.

            With regard to historic traditions, private as well as public companies fulfill the tasks of distribution system operators. They also provide public service obligations.

4. For the purpose of an efficient management, it might be reasonable for local distributors to operate also other networks, e.g. for district heating or water and take over the tasks of energy supply and energy generation within their own company group. In this context, the unbundling principles must be complied with to make sure that other market players are not discriminated.

5. The electricity and gas market in the whole European Community should be completely liberalized and organized as single market. The competition shall be developed to be fair and to give all utilities the same conditions for competition.

6. The network access conditions must allow for a non-discriminatory network access for all customers. The tariff systems for the network use should be constructed in such a way that network operators are able to generate reasonable returns and be able to invest. The networks constitute the basic future infrastructure which must be further expanded and renewed to ensure the quality of service.

7. The distribution system operators can make a substantial contribution to energy management, energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energies into the network, e.g. by introducing smart metering and by providing consulting services for producers, suppliers and customers. The accomplishment of such tasks must be reasonably compensated.

8. The European energy market is strengthened by the local companies to handle the local tasks better. GEODE stands for an active cooperation of independent companies and supports the experience exchange of its members as well as the integration of companies in vertical cooperation and joint projects.