Ljubljana, 21 March 2024
In November 2023, Transmission System Operators (TSOs) submitted to ACER their proposal to amend the definition of two European electricity Capacity Calculation Regions (CCR).
On 19 March 2024, with its Decision No 04/2024, ACER has approved the amendments to the Core and Italy North CCRs.
What are the capacity calculation regions and why are they important?
CCRs define the geographic areas (i.e. by listing bidding zone borders) across the EU where TSOs coordinate the capacity calculation and other processes (i.e. subject to regional methodologies).
Currently, there are eight CCRs in the EU: Nordic, Baltic, Hansa, Core, Italy North, Greece-Italy (GRIT), South-West Europe (SWE) and South-East Europe (SEE).
What has changed?
- The Core CCR will include the Celtic interconnector, an undersea cable between Ireland and France. This will facilitate Ireland’s further integration into the European electricity market.
- The Core and Italy North CCRs will be merged to form a new CCR called Central Europe. Initially, this merger will only apply to the day-ahead capacity calculation process. It will improve the coordination and efficiency of capacity calculation and allocation processes in continental Europe.
Next steps
The Celtic interconnector will become part the Core CCR once it becomes operational (expected in 2026).
The TSOs shall submit the day-ahead flow-based capacity calculation methodology for the newly formed Central Europe CCR by January 2025.
Source – ACER