Where next for the electricity distribution system operator? Evidence from a survey of European DSOs and National Regulatory Authorities

This paper seeks to shed light on the nature of optimal regulation electricity distribution system operator (DSO) over period 2025 and beyond, following implementation EU Clean Energy Package its constituent parts: Electricity Regulation (EU) 2019/943 Directive 2019/944. We conducted two parallel surveys DSOs their national regulatory authorities (NRAs) across 39 European countries. produced responses from 12 NRAs covering, respectively, 40% 78% customers in those asked both three sets questions related to: (1) definition future function DSO; (2) lessons learned transmission (TSO) that can be translated (3) way which regulators support capacity DSO operate coordinate system. Our findings are consistent with observation move towards a more active role for remains work progress NRAs, given fact has only passed into Law relatively recently some Member States still implementing provisions.