According to a report for the second half of 2020 by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), published on Wednesday 2 June, European Union Member States still have a long way to go in terms of electricity interconnection for cross-border trade, if they are to reach the European target of a minimum capacity of 70%.
Under the EU’s ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ legislative package, energy transmission system operators (TSOs) are required to ensure that at least 70% of electricity transmission capacity is available for inter-area trade while respecting operational security limits.
While this target has been legally binding from the beginning of 2020, Member States may also adopt transitional measures, such as action plans or derogations, allowing TSOs to gradually reach this target by the end of 2025.
According to the ACER report, Member States “still have much more to do” to get closer to this minimum capacity.
The regulators’ conclusions therefore remain broadly the same as in the previous report covering the first half of 2020 (see EUROPE 12626/15).
As observed by ACER in the first half of the year, the report highlights that the levels of cross-zonal capacity in the zones remain very diverse depending on the type of border (DC or AC borders) and the geographical location.
In addition, the document states that it is possible to further harmonise the implementation of action plans and derogations, while considering that derogations should only be made as a last resort, and only when necessary to maintain operational security.
The regulators also call on network operators to improve the completeness and quality of the data provided to them for certain regions.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3fPEmg3 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)