Vision
European Energy Exchange AG (EEX) intends to become the first choice among the European trading and clearing platforms for energy and related products and to establish this reputation for itself permanently and distinctively in the medium term.

Objective
The aim is a clearly defined one: EEX wishes to play an outstanding role as one of the most important exchange markets in the global energy trading market of the future. In this context, sustainable growth is pursued in three directions: regions, products, market segments in accordance with our motto: ‘Connecting Markets’.

Profile and position
The European Energy Exchange was established in 2002 through the merger of the two German power exchanges in Leipzig and Frankfurt. Since then, the EEX has successfully developed from the “German power exchange” into the leading energy exchange in Continental Europe.

The trading participants of EEX comprise utilities, municipal suppliers, industrial corporations, trading companies as well as brokers and banks. They all use the EEX markets in order to buy and sell power, natural gas, CO₂ emission allowances and coal at fair market prices, to cover their needs and manage their risks.

EEX Group also includes European Commodity Clearing AG (ECC), a clearing house which operates throughout Europe and whose range of services comprises clearing and settlement of exchange transactions concluded on EEX and its partner exchanges as well as OTC transactions.

Principles
The following aspects form the basic principles for the operation of the exchange and the alignment of the EEX exchange market:

Liquidity
Liquidity is the precondition of fair market conditions. Liquidity translates into high trading volumes, a large number of market participants, and, hence, fair and reliable pricing. A small spread between buy and sell bids is a tangible sign of liquidity.

Security
EEX is an exchange under public law and subject to the German Exchange Act just like the stock exchanges. On account of a closely meshed net of control and security measures comprising supervisory authorities at national and international levels and comprehensive voluntary security standards EEX is one of the most secure energy trading markets in Europe.

Transparency
Transparency is the indispensable precondition for gaining the trading participants’ trust in the market and its pricing mechanism. As a result, transparency constitutes the basis of all trading on exchanges.

Equal treatment
EEX believes in a liberalised market as an open market. Openness is crucial to equality of opportunity. Equal trading conditions for all participants guarantee fairness of trading, and constitute the key to prosperous development.

Simplicity
All requirements and processes are designed to be as streamlined as possible, in order to open the EEX markets to as broad a public as possible.

Cost efficiency
EEX offers its customers simple procedures and low financial requirements which constitute the basis for efficient operations. This fact is reflected, for example, in competitive and, hence, low fees and the abolition of admission charges.

Step-by-step development
EEX is convinced that successful positioning on the market can only be achieved through a step-by-step approach. All development processes are based on each other and are, hence, carried out step by step in a logical sequence.

Collaborative development
The EEX Group develops the energy exchange in close collaboration with its trading participants. A shared approach is important for EEX in this context; after all, the exchange platform should provide advantages to the trading participants. Trader working groups across all product segments and expanded working groups at the European level highlight the integrative approach pursued by EEX.

Multi-dimensional growth
In the long term, EEX sees itself as an integrated platform for energy trading and settlement of European standing. Diversification is set to encompass markets, products and regions. In this context, EEX will focus on its strengths, while integrating its partners.

Innovator in Europe
EEX regards itself as an active member of a pan-European network of energy exchanges. This network pays homage to the ideal of a federal Europe and is based on the use of regional competences. On account of its position in Europe, EEX has a special responsibility for further promoting competition and the integration of the European energy markets.

Open for partners
EEX relies on an open business model which generates increased flexibility, better market coverage and higher volumes through targeted spin-offs and partnerships. The subsidiaries of EEX are open for co-operations of various designs.