Trial runs of energy exchange market systems, the target model’s first major deadline, were officially scheduled to commence today but have been postponed as a result of coronavirus-related delays, power grid operator IPTO has informed.

IPTO, the energy exchange and EnexClear were scheduled to start system tests today.

General Electric, citing the period’s extraordinary conditions, has explained it is not in a position to deliver finalized version of a platform needed for the balancing market.

The company estimates a 50-day delay in the delivery of the related software, based on current data.

This delay will have a knock-on effect on the schedule mapping out an energy exchange launch on June 30.

According to law, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, will need to begin an investigation process on the matter and determine responsibilities for the delay. Presumably, IPTO and the energy exchange will need to offer explanations.

A new official date will then need to be set once the investigation has been completed. Now set to be dragged into the summer period, the energy exchange launch may be further delayed, beyond August.