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Transmission data on imports and exports

TenneT publishes transmission data on electricity imports and exports in order to:

  • facilitate the market
  • increase market transparency
  • publicly render account of our activities

Context

TenneT publishes transmission data on imports and exports in accordance with its core values of quality and integrity. The data published by TenneT are partly prescribed by the Grid Code.

TenneT must fulfil certain international agreements and commitments (ENTSO-E) with regard to cross-border transmissions. In auctioning off import and export capacity, TenneT collaborates with Amprion, TenneT Germany and ELIA System Operator NV (Belgium) in JAO.EU and for the NorNed cable with Statnett.

Explanation

In its capacity as administrator of the national high-voltage grid, TenneT manages the cross-border interconnections with Belgium and Germany (synchronous, alternating current) and Norway (asynchronous, direct current).
These cross-border interconnections create links between:

Systems:

  • to enhance (joint) stability and improve the security of supply
  • to enable TSOs to provide mutual aid and assistance         

Markets:

  • to promote a free electricity market and improve market efficiency.

Import and export capacity for the market

Together with TSOs in neighbouring countries, TenneT ensures that as much import and export capacity as possible is safely made available to the market. All parties to which import or export capacity has been made available are entitled to transmission of the allocated quantity. The TSOs ensure that the electricity is transmitted safely.

In determining the capacity to be made available, the following factors are taken into account: the physical properties and availability of the connections and the underlying grids, maintenance of a so-called ‘single failure reserve’ (n-1 criterion), reserving capacity for mutual aid and assistance by TSOs, and the expected electricity transmissions across the European grid. If an overload on a cross-border interconnection exceeds a defined maximum or lasts too long, this may result in a black-out, especially in the country to which the electricity is being exported.

If TenneT does not have sufficient means available to ensure safe transmission, it may take additional measures. TenneT has certain powers to prevent or limit possible damage to the electricity supply system.
Allocation of import and export transmission capacity to the market
TenneT’s methods and procedures for allocating capacity on cross-border interconnections are described in section 5.6 of the Grid Code. Capacity is allocated through explicit (ex) and implicit (im) auctions organised in collaboration with the foreign TSOs:

Country annual monthly daily (spot)
Belgium ex ex ex  TSO Auction
Germany ex ex ex  TSO Auction
Norway - - ex  NorNed Auction

The implicit auction at the Belgian border is based on market coupling between the energy exchanges in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.