target model

Producers content with target model markets, suppliers edgy

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Any nervousness felt by producers over the target model’s new markets ahead of their November 1 launch are swiftly being quelled by rational trading results. On the contrary, non-vertically integrated suppliers have experienced cost increases and, as a result, are concerned about their company prospects.

Although it still too early to tell, electricity producers believe day-ahead market prices are reflecting actual conditions, rising with shortages and falling with any oversupply.

Day-ahead market prices began at 60.44 euros per MWh on November 11, fell as low as 41.11 euros per MWh on Saturday and rose to 68.36 euros per MWh for today.

These price levels for the day-ahead market, known as the System Marginal Price under the previous system, are regarded as being at rational levels.

Producers have also expressed satisfaction over the balancing market, a largely unknown entity prior to the target model’s launch. Prices have been high, enabling units with flexibility to ensure solid earnings.

Day-ahead market prices are projected to fall, which would subsequently limit electricity imports and require domestic power stations to operate for longer hours.

Higher earnings for producers mean greater costs for suppliers. Non-integrated suppliers are concerned about their prospects under such conditions.

Higher gas prices, projected to rise further, not impacting demand

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Higher LNG and pipeline gas prices resulting from new market conditions have not impacted gas demand in the Greek market, a key driver being opportunities presented to electricity producers by the target model’s new trading markets.

Latest data has shown a significant price increase in futures contracts at central European hubs, compared to levels recorded just a few weeks ago.

This price rise is seen as somewhat of a paradox given the pandemic’s second wave, now in progress, and its wider impact on demand.

Officials believe the current upward price trajectory heralds an upcoming new round of higher gas prices following extremely low prices in recent times. They sunk to a low in spring.

In Greece, LNG prices are currently rising at a steeper rate compared to those for pipeline gas. Despite this ascent, demand has so far remained strong and no cancellations have been reported for LNG orders to the Revythoussa islet terminal just off Athens.

Pundits have attributed the absence of any LNG order cancellations to the need of electricity producers to be stocked up on gas quantities in readiness for grid entry and utilization of opportunities offered by the target model’s new balancing market.

RAE commissions detailed RES special account study until 2030

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After commissioning a specialized consultant to conduct a financial study on the RES special account for the two-year period covering 2021 and 2022, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has taken a step further and commissioned the same consultant for a more detailed and longer-term study depicting projections until 2030, energypress sources have informed.

The new study will presumably take into account new data and conditions resulting from latest measures announced last week by energy minister Costis Hatzidakis to counter the RES special account’s deficit. Legislation of these new measures is expected imminently.

The newly launched target model’s impact on RES special account cash inflow will represent a crucial part of the follow-up study. So, too, will projections on the number of new RES projects, and their total capacity, to be inducted into target model markets without fixed tariffs for output.

Market officials believe the ministry’s new RES special account measures will not fully resolve its deficit issues. The conclusions of the new 10-year study commissioned by RAE are expected to play an important role in the shaping of prospective RES market decisions.

 

Target model wholesale prices up as uplift charges at €8.55/MWh

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Uplift charges rose to reach a total of 8.55 euros per MWh during the first week of the model, significantly pushing up wholesale electricity price levels.

One of three uplift charges, applied to share costs of national grid losses, reached 1.39 euros per MWh in the first week of the target model, the Greek electricity market’s most significant reform, enabling market coupling with equivalent European markets.

The second uplift charge, applied to share capacity balancing costs, reached 2.02 euros per MWh.

A third uplift charge, for additional balancing costs, reached 5.14 euros per MWh.

Target model’s first two-way contracts for PPC unit telethermal needs

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The target model, launched last Sunday, has already produced a first batch of two-way agreements, involving power utility PPC and its supply division, the off-taker, for lignite-fired capacity totaling 309 MW, presumably for telethermal needs at the utility’s Agios Dimitrios III and Kardia III facilities.

PPC’s two-way agreements concerning the lignite-fired power stations do not seem to be influencing market prices – at least not overtly.

Wholesale prices up on first 2 days of target model trading

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The target model’s launch over the weekend was successfully staged with a full field of 45 participating players, but wholesale electricity prices were pushed slightly higher.

Saturday’s day-ahead price for yesterday’s opening day ended at 53 euros per MWh before rising considerably to 61 euros per MWh yesterday for today.

This increase may be the result of a lack of confidence felt by players as they adjust to new market ways. In addition, the entry into the grid of high-cost lignite-fired power stations to cover telethermal systems is another factor.

Though producers, suppliers, traders and renewable energy players all actively traded for the target model’s launch, they have yet to fully come to terms with the new market conditions.

It is a matter of time before the model’s new markets – day-ahead, intraday, balancing – find their rhythm and price levels are normalized, energy sector authorities have noted.

No major issues concerning procedural or technical matters have been reported.

The intraday market launch was smooth. Prices ended at levels set by the day-ahead market as corrections were not made.

As for the balancing market, a brand new tool for the entire system, price levels ended as anticipated, at levels set during dry-run testing in the lead-up to the target model’s launch.

The target model, representing the Greek electricity market’s most significant reform, will enable market coupling with equivalent European markets, a development ultimately expected to reinforce energy security; offer consumers greater financial benefits through transboundary competition; prompt competitive pricing in the wholesale market; facilitate further RES penetration; and, by extension, hasten greenhouse gas emission reductions and the decarbonization effort.

IPTO, handling target model’s balancing market, set for launch

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Power grid operator IPTO has declared being fully prepared for its imminent target model role of managing the balancing market, one of the new market systems to come into effect this coming Monday, when the target model is set to be launched.

Besides being tasked with managing the target model’s balancing market, IPTO, in a widely unknown role, will also be responsible for measuring overall operations of the target model.

The balancing market, an extremely complex market system requiring fundamental changes compared to current practices, will perform real-time balancing of demand against available offers.

The energy exchange will be responsible for the target model’s day-ahead and intraday markets.

In the lead-up to the forthcoming launch, IPTO, challenged by pandemic-related obstacles such as travel and staff restrictions, needed to make a series of coordinated efforts. These have included development of information systems and corresponding interface systems with the energy exchange (BMMS, MSS, XBMS and MODESTO), plus staff training.

The target model, representing the Greek electricity market’s most significant reform, is essential for market coupling with equivalent European markets.

The target model promises to reinforce the country’s energy security, offer consumers greater financial benefits through transboundary competition, lead to fair and competitive pricing in the wholesale market, while also facilitating further RES penetration, and, by extension, hastening greenhouse gas emission reductions and the decarbonization effort.

Minister urges target model readiness for smooth launch

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Energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has urged all target model officials – including RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy; power grid operator IPTO; the energy exchange and EnExClear – to have resolved any pending issues so that a smooth launch of the model may be achieved on November 1.

Describing the upcoming date as historic for Greece’s energy sector, the minister was essentially conveying concerns of energy producers, traders and suppliers, not yet fully convinced that all market systems will be in full working order for the imminent launch.

The balancing market, in particular, remains a concern. The energy exchange is overseeing the day-ahead and intraday markets and IPTO will manage the balancing market.

Simulated dry-run testing of these markets, conducted for a period of over two months to test their limits and operating ability ahead of the target model launch, was completed about a fortnight ago.

Greece’s lead-up to the EU target model has been affected by a series of delays. Hatzidakis, the energy minister, is clearly determined to see the target model procedure through, not only because it is an EU commitment but also because of its prospective market and consumer benefits.

The target model will result in market coupling, or harmonization of EU wholesale markets, the intention being to eliminate market distortions and intensify competition.

A final full-scale test of all market systems is scheduled for October 27 while all is anticipated to be ready on October 30 ahead of the November 1 launch.

PPC chief supporting swifter end to RES auction tariffs

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Power utility PPC chief executive Giorgos Stassis, in an interview with Greek daily Kathimerini, has called for a swift end to RES investor support through auctions, offering fixed tariffs, noting that green energy investors, like all energy players, must operate under new market conditions to be shaped by the target model, scheduled for a November 1 launch.

The energy ministry is preparing to submit, within the next few days, its finalized proposal to the European Commission on a new framework concerning RES auctions.

In the interview, the PPC chief, indicating that the RES sector is now fully competitive, contemplates the extent of the transition period that could be needed by green energy investors in the shift from auction tariffs to the free market; and PV and solar capacity quantities that should be offered for new projects through RES auctions from 2021 onward.

RES investors and officials essentially agree that the renewable energy sector is now a fully competitive market, but details such as the aforementioned remain unresolved.

It remains unclear for how much longer RES producers should keep securing tariffs through RES auctions staged by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, and what the total capacity to be offered through this remainder of auctions should be.

In the most recent RES auction, last July, investor bidding levels for PV tariffs dropped to as low as roughly 45 euros per MWh, clearly indicating bid price levels will descend further as RES technology advances and lowers production costs.

Critics favoring an extended transition period for RES auctions contend that PPC, like all other vertically integrated energy groups, would benefit from a swifter end to RES auctions, offering tariff security over 20-year periods, as this development will lead to two-way agreements within the group.

At PPC, for example, the parent company will be able to secure a wider profit margin by purchasing PV-generated electricity from subsidiary PPC Renewables rather than through the wider market.

New market dry-run testing to end this week, target model launch on Nov. 1

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The dry-run testing procedure for market systems ahead of the forthcoming target model launch, scheduled for November 1, will be finalized at the end of this week, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, the energy exchange and power grid operator IPTO have jointly decided.

Dry-run testing of the day-ahead, intraday and balancing markets began on August 3 to test their limits and operating ability ahead of the target model’s launch, aiming for market coupling, or harmonization of EU wholesale markets.

Market coupling, to increase competition and lower wholesale energy prices, will ultimately lead to energy union, the EU strategy seeking to offer consumers secure, sustainable, competitive and lower-cost energy.

All domestic parties involved, as well as the energy ministry, have ascertained the Greek launch will take place on November 1 following previous delays.

Even during these final days of simulated testing, day-ahead market prices have, at times, continued to display discrepancies with Day-Ahead Schedule price levels.

This has been attributed to the absence, from dry-run testing, of many traders who participate in the Day-Ahead Schedule, meaning the price levels of the two situations are based on different data.

Though balancing market prices have improved considerably as the simulated testing has progressed, following discrepancies, conclusions cannot be made until actual market conditions come into effect.

Meanwhile, public consultation by RAE on a market monitoring mechanism and a market surveillance mechanism for the new markets is due to be completed next Monday.

The market monitoring mechanism will seek, through structural and performance indicators, to evaluate levels of concentration and the market power of each participant, while the market surveillance mechanism will focus on identifying and combating strategies detrimental to competition.

The next step, once the new markets are launched, will be to market couple, initially with the Italian market, by the end of the year, followed by the Bulgarian market, in the first quarter of 2021, Greek energy minister Costis Hatzidakis recently informed.

 

 

Big investment interest, target model to spark RES trade war

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The enormous number of renewable energy projects currently at various stages of maturity, combined with market changes to be brought about by the imminent target model and the system’s limited ability to absorb and remunerate projects are factors expected to stir up a fierce economic battle between RES producers as they strive for their investment plans to prevail.

RES projects currently operating represent a total capacity of 10.5 GW and will need to reach 19 GW by 2030 if National Energy and Climate Plan goals are to be achieved, meaning a further 8.5 GW in RES capacity will need to be added over the next decade at an average rate of 850 MW per year, according to data presented by the energy ministry’s secretary-general Alexandra Sdoukou.

At present, projects representing a total capacity of 26 GW are maturing, 5 GW of these projects being at a very mature stage.

License applications have been submitted for a further 35 GW in RES projects, while an additional 5 GW of small-scale projects and approximately 10 MW of major-scale projects regarded as strategic investments are all currently being connected to the grid.

Overall, this activity represents 11,000 RES projects of all technologies and scale with a total capacity of 76 GW, or investment interest ten times over the NECP’s needs.

Admittedly, not all of these projects will be actualized, but ten years of investment and licensing activity still lie ahead. A new round of applications in December is expected to attract major investment interest and add to the current total of 76 GW.

 

 

Target model ‘dangerous without monitoring mechanism’

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The launch of target model markets without a fully functional market monitoring mechanism from the very first day, if not sooner, threatens to undermine the entire effort, two industry associations, ESAI/HAIPP, the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers, and ESEPIE, the Hellenic Association of Electricity Trading & Supply Companies, have reiterated in warnings to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

RAE is currently preparing a market monitoring mechanism, with support from a specialized consultant from abroad, for the target model markets, but the project is still a long way off, energypress sources have informed. RAE is believed to have received an initial draft of the monitoring mechanism plan now being processed in detail for a finalized version.

The market monitoring mechanism, needed to ensure healthy electricity market competition, will accumulate data from power grid operator IPTO and the Greek energy exchange to identify possible market manipulation practices.

The target model, aiming to harmonize Greece’s electricity market with wholesale electricity markets in the EU, faces a delay of a few weeks. Authorities identified pending issues in the lead-up to the previous launch date, scheduled for September 17.

Even the smallest of flaws in a market as limited in size and depth as the Greek market can prompt major financial consequences for participants, ESEPIE warned in its letter to RAE.

The implementation of an effective monitoring mechanism can prevent such setbacks and is essential for creating a climate of confidence in the new markets, the association stressed, adding the mechanism should have been applied during dry testing staged in the lead-up to the target model launch.

New target model department at Mytilineos, raising retail, RES goals

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The Mytilineos group is assembling a new energy management and trading division, described as a pioneering effort for Greece, in preparation for the forthcoming arrival of the target model.

The new division will be tasked with handling all the group’s electricity production and trading matters, as well as natural gas trading and import activities, the objective being to bring together all the aforementioned concerns under the one management system.

Much is expected of this initiative, Evangelos Mytilineos (home), the group’s chairman and CEO, told analysts during a presentation of company first-half results.

The energy supply market is not yet mature enough for further concentration, Mytilineos noted, making clear his corporation is prepared for this prospect.

He attributed favorable results in the energy sector to low natural gas prices, forecasting a correction in the second half.

The Mytilineos group aims to have captured a 10 percent share of the retail energy market by the end of 2020, its head official noted.

The group has also set elevated RES goals and is aiming for 300 MW of operational wind energy farms and several more hundred MW at various stages of development by the end of 2021, Mytilineos informed.

Negotiations with power utility PPC for new electricity tariffs concerning aluminium producer Aluminium of Greece, a Mytilineos group member, are in progress, he added.

The cost of industrial electricity tariffs is a crucially important issue for the government and power utility PPC.

Mytilineos said he expects metal prices to rebound in the second half of this year, noting the group is not exposed to any price fluctuations for the remainder in 2020 as a result of hedging.

The group’s financial results for 2020 will be close to record levels posted for 2019, analysts were informed.

First-half results have taken the group a step closer to its objectives for the year, while, barring unexpected developments, last year’s dividend level will be maintained, the CEO added.

‘Target model tο improve markets, local peculiarities need to go soon’

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The target model – the wholesale electricity market model being implemented by virtually all European countries with an aim to gradually harmonize markets, through coupling, for a unified EU electricity market, a key EU objective – promises to improve the operating ability of markets, Sotiris Hatzimichael, power utility PPC’s General Manager of Strategy & Transformation, has noted in an article published as part of an energypress target model special ahead of Greece’s forthcoming launch of new market systems.

Electricity companies will, as a result of the target model, not only have access to national markets but also bigger regional markets, initially, before eventually also gaining access to a European market, the PPC official noted, explaining that this extroversion promises benefits such as broadened customer bases and revenue and profit boost opportunities.

This extroversion will also subject electricity companies to greater competition, forcing optimization, cost minimization and performance maximization, all of which will ultimately benefit energy consumers and the economy, Hatzimichael pointed out.

The results of this effort to restructure wholesale markets will become apparent over time, while, for the Greek market, the target model’s implementation of four market systems – forward, day-ahead, intraday and balancing – will offer benefits to producers, suppliers and consumers and also present a series of challenges, the PPC official noted.

The target model’s four new markets will require new infrastructure, software and hardware, new risk management procedures, as well as many specialized individuals qualified to take on jobs demanded by the target model, Hatzimichael noted.

The transition will be crucial and needs to be handled with great care to avoid market turmoil and instability, he added.

However, true convergence of the Greek market with those of other EU member states will require the swift removal of any local peculiarities that have been incorporated into the Greek version of the target model, such as forward market participation limitations, Hatzimichael stressed.

Pending issues to delay target model launch by a few weeks

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The target model’s scheduled September 17 launch date is expected to be postponed by a few weeks following the identification, by authorities, of crucial unresolved issues, even at regulatory level, as well as discrepancies between dry-run market testing results and actual market conditions.

The energy ministry is believed to be preparing to announce the postponement over the next few days. A delay of at least four weeks is expected.

Officials identified the biggest discrepancies in the balancing market, one of the four market systems of the target model, also including day-ahead, intraday and forward markets.

Power grid operator IPTO forwarded a technical decision on balancing market clearing matters for public consultation last Friday, inviting market participants to comment by September 16, just one day ahead of the target model’s scheduled launch.

Other pending issues, sources noted, include a procedure for the selection of reserve power stations; a regulatory framework determining offers by participating units; as well as mechanisms enabling RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to monitor the behavior of market participants.

Ministry to finalize target model launch date next week

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Though the electricity market’s target model launch is scheduled for a September 17 launch, energy ministry officials have shown some reservation by noting the ministry will be in a position to make a finalized decision on the precise date in one week, energypress sources have informed.

The ministry is closely monitoring an ongoing dry-run procedure offering simulated testing of all market systems and assessing their level of readiness on a daily basis, the sources noted.

Operators may have declared being ready for the launch but the energy ministry will not give the green light for a launch until it is absolutely certain that every single issue has been fully resolved.

A change of the launch date for the new markets – day-ahead, intraday, forward and balancing – will be made if this is considered necessary, but any deferral will be limited, officials noted, implying that no more than a few weeks could be given.

The dry-run procedure and rectification of any glitches was supposed to have been completed by now, but authorities have just granted an extension until September 6.

 

Extra week for dry-run tests ahead of target model launch

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A dry run procedure offering simulated testing of all market systems and resolving any glitches ahead of the target model launch, scheduled for September 17, has been extended for another week until September 6.

Authorities met last Friday for a latest review of dry-run results. ESAI/HAIPP, the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers, in its observations, primarily focused on the balancing market.

The association also objected to integrated programming process revisions proposed by power grid operator IPTO, as well as the timing of these proposals, just days ahead of the official launch of markets.

ESAI/HAIPP is expected to forward its views on the issue, in writing, to the energy ministry, later today or tomorrow. The matter essentially concerns the calculation of reserves to be covered by the system for its security.

The Energy Exchange, to operate the day-ahead, intraday and forward markets, and IPTO, operating the balancing market, are both scheduled – based on a ministerial decision – to deliver an interim report this week for the energy ministry and RAE on the progress and level of readiness of market systems.

These systems have been undergoing continual testing since August 3. The number of dry-run participants has increased in recent days, while price levels are now at far more rational levels, especially in the day-ahead market.

All market participants, approximately 60 in total, have until September 4 to submit required supporting documents to the Energy Exchange in order to receive membership registration certificates by September 11.

 

Safety mechanism to limit energy exchange fluctuations

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Sizeable electricity price discrepancies – compared to day-ahead scheduling market levels – observed by officials in ongoing dry-run testing of Energy Exchange markets ahead of the target model launch scheduled for September 17 and attributed to unrealistic offers made by participants, are expected to narrow as more participants become involved.

Even so, officials supervising the simulated testing of all four Energy Exchange markets – day-ahead, intraday, forward, balancing markets – plan to introduce a safety mechanism enabling participants to make improved follow-up offers if price levels fluctuate beyond upper and lower limits.

Officials at related agencies and the energy ministry are confident the dry run will be completed on time despite being up against a very tight schedule.

The head officials of RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, the energy exchange, and power grid operator IPTO held a summit meeting yesterday with energy minister Costis Hatzidakis and the ministry’s secretary-general, Alexandra Sdoukou, to discuss the progress of the dry run. Other officials meet on a weekly basis to discuss the effort.

To date, any technical issues that have arisen have been resolved. Both the Energy Exchange and IPTO appear ready for the real-life launch. Market systems have been undergoing continual testing since August 3.

However, a shortage in the number of dry-run participants, especially traders, has been observed. This is concerning as current evaluations of the market system performances cannot be considered entirely accurate. All key players – gas-based electricity producers, suppliers, traders, RES producers and aggregators – must be involved in the simulated testing for a dependable picture.

Once the Energy Exchange and IPTO have declared their readiness, RAE will need to offer its approval of the dry run on September 11, a week before the target model’s scheduled September 17 launch.

The aim is for all players to have entered the market systems on September 15 to prepare their orders for the launch two days later.

Crucial week for target model’s dry-run tests of market systems

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Though any glitches that have emerged during ongoing simulated testing of all energy exchange market systems ahead of a target model launch scheduled for September 17 have been quickly resolved, officials remain concerned about the venture’s level of readiness.

The number of participants for the dry run’s virtual transactions, especially traders, has been insufficient, while participants are submitting unrealistic offers, officials have observed.

This has prompted major fluctuations as well as sizable electricity price discrepancies compared to day-ahead scheduling market levels.

Market systems at the Energy Exchange, to operate the day-ahead, intraday and forward markets, and at the power grid operator IPTO, operating the balancing market, have been undergoing continual testing since August 3.

This week will be crucial as an increase in the number of participants is anticipated, while heightened maturity in bidding methods is also expected, all of which should result in safer conclusions.

For the time being, a deferral of the target model’s September 17 launch date is not being considered. All operators must declare complete readiness to RAE by September 11 if this launch date is to be maintained.

Electricity price levels, once the target model is launched, cannot be forecast at present. This could be possible within the next few days.

Officials at the energy ministry, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, the energy exchange and IPTO, all monitoring the effort, are scheduled to stage their next weekly meeting tomorrow.

Energy exchange dry run starts, target model launch nearing

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Simulated testing of all energy exchange market systems, the dry run, began yesterday, as officially scheduled, putting the launch of the target model on the final stretch.

Market systems linked to power grid operator IPTO, the Greek energy exchange, as well as EnexClear, an energy exchange subsidiary tasked with clearing transactions, are now operating under conditions of virtual reality, signaling the beginning of final-stage testing to be completed at the end of this month.

During the dry run, participating producers and buyers will be making simulated offers and purchases, the objective being to identify possible operational faults or insufficiencies for correction ahead of the official launch of the target model, scheduled for September 17.

All four energy exchange markets – the day-ahead, intraday, forward and balancing markets – are being tested. The energy exchange is in charge of the first three while IPTO is operator of the fourth.

Following August 11, EnexClear will take on a more active role for transaction clearances, a procedure to be performed on a weekly basis.

The overall procedure’s schedule was formalized by a ministerial decision signed on July 10.

IPTO handed RAE fine for target model’s balancing market delay

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has imposed a fine on power grid operator IPTO as a result of its failure to maintain a schedule concerning the establishment of an energy exchange  balancing market, an obligation included in a ministerial decision for the target model, energypress sources have informed.

RAE took this decision at a recent board meeting after summoning the operator to offer explanations for its delay in the delivery of an online platform needed for the balancing market.

The information-system delay prevented trial runs of the energy exchange’s three markets, initially scheduled to begin April 10. These trial runs ended up being launched earlier this week, on Monday.

IPTO’s defending case was deemed insufficient by RAE, even though the sudden departure from Greece, early in the pandemic, by a General Electric team working on the balancing market’s information system was pivotal and beyond the operator’s control.

The first stage of testing, involving virtual tests of all energy exchange and IPTO systems, is scheduled to last until July 10. An initial assessment of the trial period will then follow.

A second testing stage, a dry run, or continual simulated testing of all new wholesale markets, is scheduled to start August 3.

The launch date for the energy exchange’s markets has been rescheduled for September 17. The energy ministry is expected to soon sign a related ministerial decision.

PPC, majors face 20% sale limit on output for bilateral contracts

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Vertically integrated electricity producers will be permitted to sell up to 20 percent of production through mutual agreements once the target model is launched, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has decided, ultimately doubling a 10 percent limited proposed by the Greek stock exchange, energypress sources have informed.

RAE reached its decision to set the limit at 20 percent after considering arguments presented by producers and sector authorities during consultation.

The limit takes into effect power utility PPC, dominating the retail market, as well as all integrated producers with retail market shares of more than 4 percent – namely, as things stand, Protergia, Heron and Elpedison, all with over 4 percent for quite some time now.

This decision by RAE is one of the last pending issues concerning energy exchange markets, recently rescheduled to begin operating on September 17, if all goes according to plan from here on.

ESAI/HAIPP, the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers, had proposed a limit of between 5 and 10 percent for PPC’s mutual agreements and forward contracts, and proportional limits for vertically integrated electricity producers with market shares of more than 4 percent.

PPC, which, from the outset, pushed for a 20 percent limit, based its argument on a study by global energy consulting company ECCO International, according to which the sale limit on output should range between 10 and 20 percent.

 

Safety measures vital for target model markets, producers stress

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The introduction of energy exchange spot markets, in September, when they are scheduled to begin operating, without the adoption of safety measures facilitating competition and preventing manipulative methods, primarily by power utility PPC, the market’s dominant player, could lead to undesired results and strengthen the market’s monopolistic character, independent electricity producer representatives have told energypress.

The officials expressed their concerns as a monitoring mechanism being prepared by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, with consultancy support, may not be fully functional at the time of the target model’s launch.

The monitoring mechanism is considered the basic tool in the effort to ensure healthy competition in electricity markets as it will be used to collect data from power grid operator IPTO and the Greek energy exchange and identify any manipulative practices in the wholesale market.

Interventions needed, according to independent electricity producers, include restricting PPC’s ability to establish two-way agreements; offering support to the new target model market with a supplementary market offering capacity availability; and protecting markets, overall, through powerful, consistent and independent monitoring mechanisms.

 

Ministry preparing for Brussels demand response, TFRM approvals

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Anticipating the European Commission’s approval of government proposals for a demand response mechanism and a transitory flexibility remuneration mechanism (TFRM), the energy ministry is preparing ministerial decisions for immediate signing once Brussels has given the green light.

These decisions will need to be signed by Greek officials before the two mechanisms can be implemented. The ministry is preparing the ground to have both mechanisms launched as soon as possible.

Brussels and Athens have reached an agreement on the mechanisms, prompting the energy ministry to deliver a finalized version of the demand response plan to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, ahead of this mechanism’s reintroduction.

The energy ministry expects power grid operator IPTO to be able to stage its first auction for demand-response capacities in July.

According to the agreement reached with Brussels, IPTO will be permitted to auction demand response capacities of up to 800 MW, below the previous limit of 1,030 MW.

Also, a greater number of participants will be eligible as enterprises with capacities of at least 2 MW will be able to take part, down from 3 MW in the previous mechanism. Troubled nickel producer Larco will not be excluded.

In addition, the new mechanism will run until September 30, 2021, not for two years as had been requested by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

As for the TFRM, it will remain valid until the implementation of a permanent CAT mechanism, which the energy ministry expects to launch in March, 2021.

The TFRM will be divided into two stages, the first running until the launch of target model markets, scheduled for September 17, under the same terms that applied for a mechanism that expired in March, 2019.

The TFRM’s second stage will run from the launch of the target model until a permanent flexibility mechanism is introduced. Its capacity is expected to be drastically reduced to 750 MW from 4,500 MW. Remuneration levels are also expected to drop.

Energy exchange launch date rescheduled for September 17

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The energy ministry is set to reschedule the energy exchange market’s launch date for September 17, two-and-a-half months beyond the original June 30 date, following commitments made yesterday, during a virtual conference, by the power grid operator IPTO and Hellenic Energy Exchange (HENEX) administrations on the delivery of information systems and time required for trial runs.

The energy ministry is now expected to soon deliver a related ministerial decision, probably next week, setting the new schedule for the target model, or, more specifically, the energy exchange’s spot markets.

The compatibility of platforms and other applications being co-developed by the Greek energy exchange and IPTO for the balancing market is seen as crucial to the success of the new schedule.

As has been previously reported, a delay in the delivery of a balancing market platform to IPTO by General Electric, commissioned this project, has been a key factor behind the inability of officials to meet the original June 30 launch date.

A GE team that was stationed in Athens for this project left the country without notice, citing the possibility of greater pandemic danger ahead, in reaction to the outbreak.

IPTO, now closely coordinating with GE for a specific delivery date following the relaxation of lockdown measures, has promised to gradually deliver required information systems as of this month, prompting Greek authorities to set a new launch date.

According to the new schedule, certain trial runs testing combined energy exchange and IPTO systems will begin on June 22. Simulated testing, or a dry run, of all systems is expected to start on August 3 and last until markets are actually launched on September 17, given no issues arise.

Target model, energy exchange plans shaped by meeting today

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The energy ministry intends to set new launch dates for the target model and energy exchange markets once it has drawn conclusions from a crucial meeting today with representatives of RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, the Greek energy exchange, and power grid operator IPTO.

A previous June 30 target model launch date will definitely be missed as a result of various delays, including a pandemic-related hold up in the delivery of a balancing market platform by General Electric to IPTO.

The revised target model schedule, to be included in a related ministerial decision, will be based on the new feasible launch date for energy exchange markets.

No pending issues remain concerning the operating regulations to apply for the new markets. All rules have been approved.

Certain formula details, including a much-debated formula concerning the percentage of production each producer will be able to secure through contracts, are expected imminently, prior to June 22, when the tenure of RAE’s head official is set to expire.

A GE team that was stationed in Athens for the balancing market platform project left the country without notice, citing the possibility of greater pandemic danger ahead.

IPTO is now closely coordinating with GE for a specific delivery date, following the relaxation of lockdown measures.

Well-informed authorities insist that the energy exchange’s spot markets cannot be launched before mid-September.

 

Monitoring mechanism ‘needed prior to target model markets’

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A monitoring mechanism enabling RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to protect target model electricity markets from abusive, non-competitive behavior by electricity producers, must be ready before target model markets are launched, the European Commission has stressed in its latest post-bailout report on the Greek economy.

Legislation ratified by the Greek government late in 2019 strengthened RAE’s powers by giving it authority to raid company offices and impose fines for abusive behavior.

The crucial role of the monitoring mechanism has also been pointed out in Greece’s revised National Energy and Climate Plan.

The monitoring mechanism, to collect data from power grid operator IPTO and the Greek stock exchange, will be able to identify wholesale trade irregularities.

The European Commission report projects Greece’s target model will be launched in the third quarter of this year, beyond a June 30 target date. The pandemic has negatively impacted the delivery date of a trading platform by General Electric.

Earlier this week, market officials contended that a launch of spot markets at the Greek energy exchange is not possible until September, rejecting IPTO claims of an earlier target model start within August.

August launch of target model not possible, pundits insist

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A launch of spot markets at the Greek energy exchange is not possible until September, well-informed market officials insist, rejecting recent claims by power grid operator IPTO deputy chief Yiannis Margaris of an earlier target model start within August.

The energy ministry is currently coordinating with IPTO, the Hellenic Energy Exchange (HENEX) and RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, for clarity as to when the launch of the target model’s energy exchange markets is feasible.

A June 30 launch date will inevitably be missed, a key problem behind the delay being the absence of a specific date for the delivery of a balancing market platform to IPTO by General Electric, commissioned this project.

A GE team that was stationed in Athens for this project left the country without notice, citing the possibility of greater pandemic danger ahead, in reaction to its outbreak. This has delayed the delivery of the platform.

IPTO is now closely coordinating with GE for a specific delivery date, following the relaxation of lockdown measures.

Trial runs of all market systems linking IPTO, HENEX and EnexClear were scheduled to begin April 10. Dry-run testing, or continual simulation, of market systems was scheduled for May 15, ahead of the June 30 launch date for the target model’s day-ahead, intraday and balancing market launches, now all out of the question.