Discharge 2022: European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
TA-9-2024-0265 · P9_TA(2024)0265 · PE753.506
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Parliament grants the Director of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) discharge for the 2022 financial year and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts.¶¶ In its accompanying resolution, Parliament notes the Agency's 2022 budget of EUR 24 827 843 and a budget implementation rate of 99,26 %, but flags high carry-overs of EUR 7,2 million (29,4 %).¶¶¶ Parliament asks the Agency to reassess its work programme against available staff, improve transparency of its website and documents, and address weaknesses in its governance and internal controls.¶¶¶ It also calls on the Agency to improve gender balance, continue anti-harassment and conflict-of-interest policies, and further digitalise its processes while strengthening online security.¶¶¶
Key points
- Parliament grants the Director of ACER discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget and approves the closure of the 2022 accounts.¶¶
- Parliament notes the 2022 budget of EUR 24 827 843, an increase of 5,25 % on 2021, funded mainly by collected fees and the Union contribution.¶
- It notes a commitment appropriations implementation rate of 99,26 % and a payment execution rate of 70,12 %, below the Agency's 75 % target.¶
- It is concerned about high carry-overs of EUR 7,2 million (29,4 %) and says these could indicate weak budgetary planning or a breach of annuality.¶
- It notes that 82 % of the work programme was achieved and recommends reassessing feasibility given limited human resources.¶
- It acknowledges extra tasks from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and welcomes the Agency's work on energy security and the market correction mechanism.¶
- It takes note of Court findings on weaknesses in the Agency's monitoring and reporting framework and calls for clearer planning of outputs.¶
- It calls on the Agency to improve website transparency, publish decisions and data, and adopt a clear transparency policy.¶
- It is concerned that the Agency's governance hampers effectiveness and independence, and calls on the Commission to propose improvements.¶
- It notes a payment order of EUR 714 720 authorised beyond a EUR 500 000 limit and calls for enforcement of delegation limits.¶
- It calls for efforts to address the underrepresentation of women (40 women, 35 %, to 73 men, 65 %) and report quantifiable targets.¶
- It welcomes the Agency's anti-harassment policy, conflict-of-interest guidelines and digitalisation tools, and urges stronger action against cyberattacks.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- ACER and its Director: must implement the observations and report back on gender targets and internal control limits.¶¶¶
- The Commission: asked to evaluate and propose improvements to the Agency's governance and independence.¶
- ACER staff and management: subject to conflict-of-interest, anti-harassment and gender balance policies.¶¶¶
- Stakeholders and the general public: should benefit from improved access to the Agency's documents and data.¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 24 827 843: the Agency's final budget for 2022.¶
- 5,25 %: increase in the 2022 budget compared to 2021.
- 99,26 %: budget implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations.¶
- 70,12 %: current year payment appropriations execution rate, against a 75 % target.
- EUR 7,2 million (29,4 %): carry-overs of commitment appropriations in 2022.¶
- EUR 5,5 million (66,2 %): appropriations under Title III related to operational expenditure.
- 82 %: share of the work programme achieved or achieved with a small issue.¶
- EUR 714 720: payment order authorised beyond a EUR 500 000 limit.¶
Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.¶¶