In its 2025 report on cross-zonal electricity capacity and congestion management, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) points out that the electricity price peaks seen in the summer of 2024 in South-East Europe could have been avoided if the “70% rule” for network capacity had been respected.
This rule is a legal obligation for EU electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) - required by the 2019 Clean Energy Package - to make at least 70% of capacity available for cross-zonal trade with neighbouring countries.
The report was presented by the Director of ACER Director, Christian Zinglersen, on the second day of the informal meeting of European Energy Ministers on Friday 5 September (see EUROPE 13703/1).
In its conclusions, ACER believes that compliance with the 70% requirement would ensure that domestic electricity flows do not take precedence over cross-border trade and would reduce volatility and price peaks.
However, it points out that the deadline of the end of 2025 for meeting this obligation has been compromised by delays in implementation. It also regrets the use of costly corrective measures to relieve congestion on the EU electricity network.
The Agency therefore recommends prioritising the 70% rule, investing in, for example, technologies to improve the network (cable-free alternatives), improving the calculation and allocation of cross-zonal capacity, and rapidly applying the European congestion management framework.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/IBW (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)