On 16 December 2022, at the initiative of the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA), the energy regulatory authorities of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro, North Macedonia and Italy established the Balkans Energy School (BES) in Milan, Italy.

The Balkans Energy School, which is located at the ARERA premisis, will promote the harmonization of the regulatory framework at the regional level to support the development of the Balkan energy market and its effective integration at EU level. Its activities will be mainly focused on the development of electricity and gas networks, RES integration, market coupling, and other relevant activities, under the umbrella of energy transition and through an intense activity of capacity building and know-how exchange.

The Founding Members of the Association, which may be joined by other authorities in the coming months, nominated Mr. Stefano Saglia, a member of the Board of the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment, as BES Chairperson for the period 2023-2024.  'Our commitment to extending the European energy market to the Balkan region is confirmed, especially in this delicate historical moment and considering the growing volume of infrastructure investments underway' declared Mr. Saglia.

The Balkans Energy School was born from the successful experience of the Know How Exchange Program (KEP), promoted and coordinated by ARERA over the last four years as part of the funding program of the Central European Initiative (CEI).