FLEX4CEE – Flexibility Integration in Central and Eastern Europe

Demand-side flexibility plays a key role in the European Union’s climate and energy framework, including the Fit for 55 package, REPowerEU and the Electricity Market Design reform. By enabling consumers to shift electricity use in response to price signals or system needs, demand-side flexibility supports renewable energy integration, reduces fossil-based balancing and improves grid stability.

In the Visegrad four countries — Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary — demand-side flexibility potential remains largely untapped. National Energy and Climate Plans recognise flexibility, yet delayed legislation, limited smart meter deployment, regulated pricing systems and weak market rules prevent consumers from participating. Negative electricity prices are rising across the region, highlighting system inefficiencies and missed flexibility opportunities. The project supports national climate and energy strategies by strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving market design and enabling consumer participation, thereby contributing directly to European Union climate targets and a cost-efficient energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe.

The project strengthens demand-side flexibility markets in Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary by addressing regulatory, technical and awareness barriers. It analyses national frameworks to identify gaps in legislation, infrastructure and market rules that prevent consumer participation. The project models demand-side flexibility potential and develops concrete business cases that demonstrate economic value for households, businesses and aggregators.

Together with policymakers, regulators and market actors, the project co-develops policy recommendations that support dynamic tariffs, aggregator participation and fair market access for smaller consumers. Awareness campaigns inform end users about flexibility options, cost savings and new market opportunities.

By combining evidence-based analysis, stakeholder dialogue and targeted communication, the project equips authorities with practical implementation pathways. It supports market actors in developing new services and enables consumers to actively participate in the energy system. These actions lay the foundation for functioning demand-side flexibility markets and scalable solutions across the Visegrad four region.