ELECTRICITY MARKET FLEXIBILITY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND DEMAND RESPONSE: A LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION BARRIERS ANALYSIS

<ns3:p>Demand response (DR) plays a crucial role in enhancing flexibility in the European elec-tricity market. By adjusting electricity consumption in response to price signals or grid requirements, DR contributes to grid stability, reduces system costs, and supports the inte-gration of renewable energy sources. The European Union (EU) has developed a legal framework to facilitate DR participation, primarily through the Electricity Market Directive (2019/944) and the Electricity Market Regulation (2019/943). These frameworks guarantee consumer rights, enable independent aggregators, and foster competition in electricity mar-kets. However, the practical implementation of these legal instruments has been incon-sistent across Member States, resulting in market fragmentation, limited access for aggrega-tors, and barriers to participation. This article examines the legal and regulatory framework for DR participation, analyzes its effectiveness, and discusses key challenges in the integra-tion of demand response into European electricity markets.</ns3:p>