The European Union Agency for
the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published three decisions in
line with the EU Regulation establishing a Guideline on Electricity Balancing,
harmonising the imbalance settlement and fostering a single EU balancing
market.
The first
decision concerns the methodology for classifying the activation purposes
of balancing energy bids. The methodology provides the description and
rules for all possible activation purposes, providing the same level of
transparency when activating balancing energy bids across Europe.
The second establishes
the methodology for Transmission System Operators (TSOs)' common settlement
rules for all intended exchanges. This should ensure the pricing
principles for the settlement between balancing service providers and TSOs
are also respected among TSOs.
The third decides
on the methodology to further specify and harmonise the imbalance
settlement. The imbalance settlement ensures the costs of any
shortage or surplus of electricity, bought or sold as balancing energy by each
TSO, is allocated to the market participants that caused the imbalance. In case
of a surplus, the market participant that supports the system should receive a
payment. The new methodology ensures a consistent application of the
imbalance settlement process across Member States. Applying these rules across
Europe ensures that market participants are incentivised to deliver on the
electricity they have bought or sold. This increases the overall efficiency of
the electricity system to the benefit of the end consumers.
Access to full decision by ACER regarding classifying
the activation purposes of balancing energy bids: link
Access to full decision by ACER on the common settlement rules
applicable to all intended exchanges of energy: link
Access to full decision by ACER on the harmonisation of the main
features of imbalance settlement: link
