Progress CWE and ITVC
The CWE and Nordic parties have established a detailed project schedule, including alignment of business processes and testing of the solution. The plan also calls for testing of the operational fall back mechanism, consisting of so called ‘shadow auctions’ performed by CASC CWE (Capacity Allocation Service Company for the Central West European Electricity Market). Shadow auctions are explicit auctions of cross border capacity, and constitute the fall back solution in the event that the market coupling process cannot be completed. The auctions are referred to as ‘shadow auctions’ because they run in parallel to the market coupling process on a day to day basis. The fall back solution is scheduled to be in place from the start of ITVC. The launch of ITVC will take place as soon as possible before or after 7 September 2010, the originally scheduled date of introduction for the CWE region. The new system is scheduled to be implemented in two steps, with the NorNed cable being integrated into the second step. According to the schedule, the combined target launch date of the ITVC Step 1 solution and the CWE price coupling is 9 November 2010. The target launch date of ITVC Step 2 is 14 December. Both target launch dates are subject to successful completion of all necessary tests and subject to regulatory approval of the solution. Confirmation of a firm launch date for Step 1 is expected to be given by mid September.
More about steps in the process of marketcoupling
Press releases published with regard to market coupling:
- 28-07-2010 CWE/Nordic coupling joint target launch date
- 07-04-2010 Launch of CWE MC planned on 7 September
- 16-10-2009 Grid operators of the CWE region and Scandinavia reach agreement regarding market coupling system
- 21-11-2008 Date marks two years of trilateral market coupling: for 70% of this time, prices in the Netherlands, Belgium and France have been the same
- 05-06-2008 Significant progress in coupling the electricity markets and guaranteeing the security of supply in CWE
- 18-12-2007 Transmission System Operators in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to set up joint service company
