7. Emphasises the urgent need for new, modernised, smart and flexible energy infrastructure at all network levels, especially smart grids, to allow for more flexible back-up and balancing power capacity, including individual microgeneration and storage systems, new electricity uses (such as electric vehicles) and demand-response programmes; stresses the need to ensure greater cooperation on the part of transmission system operators and the determined, transparent, coordinated and timely involvement of all stakeholders in the extension and modernisation of the energy infrastructure; welcomes the strong emphasis placed on smart energy pr ...[+++]ojects of common interest in the Connecting Europe Facility, while regretting that only two smart grid projects were included in the current two-year list; stresses that smart grid projects at distribution system level must be taken into account; emphasises that infrastructure projects must fulfil sustainability and competitiveness criteria and be underpinned by an integrated approach, which shall be ensured by involving distribution system operators; also underlines the importance of developing North-South energy connections in the Mediterranean;

(7) All economic operators intervening in the supply and distribution chain should take appropriate measures to ensure that they only make available on the market electrical equipment which is in conformity with this Directive.

Economic operators should be able to sell stocks of electrical equipment designed for use within some certain voltage limits that are already in the distribution chain on the date of application of national measures transposing this Directive.

When dispatching generating installations, transmission system operators shall give priority to generating installations using renewable energy sources insofar as the operation of the national electricity system permits.

When dispatching generating installations, transmission system operators shall give priority to generating installations using renewable energy sources in so far as the operation of the national electricity system permits.

According to the Commission, the objectives of the second stage should be the following: - firstly, the abolition of exclusive rights regarding electricity generation and the building of electricity lines, in order to increase competition and open up the market to new operators; - secondly, putting into practice the concept of unbundling (separation of the management and accounting of production, transmission and distribution activities) in vertically-integrated companies, to guarantee transparent accounting with a view to fair and non-discriminatory competition; - thirdly, the introduction on a limited basis of a system of third--part ...[+++]y access to the network (TPA) whereby the transmission and distribution companies are obliged to offer access to their network to certain eligible entities (large industrial users, distribution companies subject to certain conditions) at reasonable rates, within the limits of available transmission and distribution capacity.