Energy Law in the light of the green transition towards net zero emissions (ELAWNET)

The ELAWNET project provides research network activities on the law of electricity market reform and just energy transition. Since the 2021–2022 winter and the weaponisation of gas supply to Europe by Russia in the war in Ukraine, the combined effects of the energy price and energy supply crisis have been a priority challenge for all governments and regulators. In 2022, short-term and mid-term emergency measures have been adopted. In the next phase, starting in 2023, legislative and regulatory proposals for more structural reforms will be advanced. The ELAWNET project aims to inform these discussions by exchanging knowledge through network activities across jurisdictions (in Europe, United States and Asia) and disciplines (law, political sciences and economics). The network activities consist of workshops, guest lectures, short study visits, conferences and a PhD school. Research results will be disseminated through traditional research publications and online media content.

The ELAWNET project is motivated by the regulatory changes that are necessary to accompany the green transition (det grønne skiftet) towards net zero emissions energy systems. It addresses a central topic for the development of the society and for our regulatory models, in relation to regulation models of electricity markets and implementation of energy transition law and policy. The project aims to develop new knowledge supported by dissemination activities, and in doing so contribute to the current debate on the two central topics of electricity market reform and just energy transition, organised as two work packages. The first work package is dedicated to energy markets regulation, and consists in a legal study of the rules for electricity market design in the transition towards low carbon energy systems. The second work package relates to the interlinkage between energy law and just transition, and consists in empirical legal studies focusing on the social challenges of implementing energy transition legislation and of speeding up permitting procedures for renewables. The project also aims to stimulate early stage PhD candidates working in the field and provide them with an arena for discussion. The project is led by the Department of Energy and Resources Law together with the Research Group in Natural Resources Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo. It will involve leading researchers in other jurisdictions, both in and outside Europe.