A decision by power grid operator IPTO to call off, on the eve of the event, a March 20 auction offering temporary CATs  is believed to have been prompted by European Commission intervention resulting from a Greek breach of the auction’s terms included in a Brussels endorsement, sources have informed.

IPTO attributed its move to reasons concerning a framework revision of the auction procedure’s terms, noting further clarification could be sought at the energy ministry.

The Brussels-approved mechanism for temporary flexibility CATs requires a division of eligible parties into two groups for participation at separately held auctions over two periods.

The first, by the end of March, is intended for natural gas-fired and hydropower plants, while the second is for demand response operators and energy storage facilities. Lignite-fired power plants have been excluded from the temporary CAT mechanism.