Public consultation on Terms and Conditions for balancing service providers for automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve (aFRR)

Context

Elia proposes a new design for the aFRR Service with an entry into force on the 1^st of July 2020. Consequently, Elia adapts its proposal for the T&C BSP aFRR including the contract for the service between Elia and the balancing service providers (BSP).

In accordance with article 10 of the Regulation (EU) 2017/2195 of 23 November 2017 establishing a guideline on electricity balancing (“EBGL”), Elia organizes a formal public consultation on a new proposal of the T&C BSP aFRR. The contract between Elia and the BSP reflects the design changes proposed by Elia to evolve to a technology neutral aFRR balancing product with daily procurements of aFRR balancing capacity by Elia and a merit order activation of the aFRR energy bids. All these changes have been proposed and discussed with the market parties during dedicated aFRR workshops and Working Group Balancing meetings organized in 2018 and 2019.

As specified in the T&C BSP aFRR, the General Conditions have been subject to a separate public consultation given that these will apply for all Terms and Conditions that are and will be proposed by Elia to the competent regulatory authority. As a consequence the General conditions are not open to comments anymore, unless if the respondent believes (and upon motivation) it is necessary to deviate in Part II from one or more of the General conditions of Part I given the specific context of the contract concerned.

Elia also shares an informative note in support of the consultation. The note provides an overview of the changes in the proposal of the T&C BSP aFRR compared to the version of June 2018 and more explanation on some design aspects.

In March Elia will also launch a public consultation on a new proposal of the Market functioning rules for the compensation of quarter-hourly imbalances (“Balancing Rules”) with the needed and coherent modifications.

Period

Elia invites the stakeholders to provide comments and suggestions on the consulted document during the consultation period from the 3rd of March until 3rd of April 2020 included.