MSc in Energy Law, Business, Regulation and Policy > Energy Law I

Energy Law I

Teaching hours and credit allocation: 30 hours, 6 credits
Course assessment: exams

Aims

The aim of this course is to familiarize and provide students with a solid foundation in the legal concepts of Energy Law so that they may put all challenges in perspective and appraise the energy sector’s issues and policies. Energy Law will be examined as an entire modern legal system. The course is geared towards examining central and particular themes and debates in energy regulation and their impact on legal developments and policy reform. Moreover, it shall take a comprehensive approach to energy issues in Europe by showcasing that the current regime is an accumulation of decades of policy choices. In that regard, the administrative models under the legal framework of the EU Third Liberalization Package and the organization and operation of specific energy markets and sectors such as gas, electricity, renewable energy sources and hydrocarbons will be examined in detail in an effort to provide students with a substantial understanding of market functions across Europe, main issues and constraints of the energy regulation procedure as well as the interrelation between EU Energy Law and other EU law areas, as Third Party Access, Competition and Consumer Protection. Finally, a key component of the course is to help students explore the administrative framework with regard to licenses each time it is necessary for the undertaken activity with a particular emphasis on the relevant terms and conditions such as Technical Conditions, Financial Requirements, Rights and Obligations of Licensees, Environmental Standards and Dispute Procedures.

Learning outcomes

  • On completing the course the participants will be able to:
  • understand the fundamental legal principles applying to modern-day energy policy and energy law developments and the way that the energy regulation works;
  • understand the function of energy sectors/markets;
  • gain an understanding of the legal Framework applying to every stage of the energy supply chain including grid operation, unbundling requirements and the authorization procedure;
  • be aware of traditional issues as well as contemporary issues faced by the energy sector such as competition versus state control and consumer protection;
  • critically evaluate the importance of regulation against abuses of market power that may possibly emerge;
  • analyze and distinguish between economically useful and economically harmful forms of law and regulation;
  • develop a critical awareness of the social and political influence on the operation of the energy market with regard to consumer welfare;
  • acquire knowledge of energy regulation issues through parallel references to relevant case law of EU Courts;
  • understand the fundamental principles and issues of hydrocarbons law.

Content

  • General Aspects of Energy Law;
  • Legal framework of Electricity, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy Sources &  Hydrocarbons;
  • Law and Regulation;
  • Licensing;
  • Competition;
  • Consumer Protection;