GME was set up by Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE S.p.A.), a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. GME carries out its activities in accordance with the guidelines given by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and the regulatory provisions issued by Autorità di Regolazione per Energia Rete e Ambiente (ARERA, the electricity, gas and water regulator).
GME operates power, gas and environmental markets. As part of the process of liberalisation of the electricity sector, Gestore dei Mercati Energetici S.p.A. (GME) was initially vested with the organisation and economic management of the wholesale Power Market under principles of neutrality, transparency, objectivity and competition.