Europex represents the interests of exchange-based wholesale electricity, gas and environmental markets, focuses on developments of the European regulatory framework for wholesale energy trading and provides a discussion platform at European level. Its broad aims are to:

• Promote and enable efficient, accessible, liquid, secure and transparent wholesale energy and environmental markets;
• Represent member interests towards legislative and regulatory bodies as well as other relevant stakeholders, working for common positions on specific issues and providing a unified voice;
• Provide support to members on regional and national policy issues relevant to European wholesale energy markets.

Europex’ roots lie in the liberalisation of the European energy market which started in the 1990s. As newly created market infrastructure providers following the establishment of competitive electricity and gas markets, European energy exchanges realised the need for cooperation. Seven power exchanges voluntarily agreed in 2001 to create a single EU-level advocacy body to deal with regulatory challenges associated with the Internal Energy Market, align positions and communicate with policymakers, regulators and other relevant stakeholders. Since its formal creation on 12 April 2002, Europex has grown and transformed significantly. Its members have made a strong contribution to the design and proper functioning of today’s liberalised European energy market.

The original focus of the Association was on the integration of short-term electricity markets across Europe, and the emergence of long-term hedging markets. Over time, the focus has broadened to cover natural gas trading and environmental market aspects. In addition, the geographical reach of Europex has increased significantly. The Association now acts as the central voice of European energy exchanges towards the European institutions, national financial and energy regulators and many other stakeholders. Today, Europex counts 31 full members and four associate members.