Strengthening the regional approach to system operation to boost renewables’ integration. Joint statement by Client Earth, EFET, Eurelectric, Europex, RAP, SEDC, SolarPower Europe and Wind Europe

2017

Brussels, 26 October 2017 | Europe needs to integrate ever-growing shares of renewable energy sources into the wholesale power market. This path is a no brainer for Europe and for the signatories of this statement.

Today however, a number of hurdles are in the way of reaching this goal. This is in particular the case for cross-border capacity allocation. ACER data has clearly shown that less than 50% of the “benchmark capacity” was offered to the market in 2016 and that, on a large range of EU borders, the part of the “benchmark capacity” offered to the market was even residual. ACER’s analysis shows that the limited amount of cross-zonal capacity made available by TSOs is one of the most significant barriers to the further integration of wholesale markets. A third of the gap is due to insufficient TSO coordination, while the remaining part is due to internal flows being prioritised over cross-border ones.

Please read the full statement below.