The EU Commission has established conditions for the introduction and design of capacity mechanisms within the framework of the "Clean Energy Package" (CEP) legislative package. Several EU member states have already introduced different types of capacity mechanisms to address national concerns regarding security of supply. A key feature of capacity mechanisms is the remuneration of the capacity provided (MW). This distinguishes capacity mechanisms from the so-called energy-only market, where the actually delivered energy (MWh) is remunerated.
According to the provisions of the Electricity Regulation (Art. 26. Regulation (EU) 2019/943), capacity mechanisms must be open to cross-border participation of foreign capacities. Cross-border participation is possible in the Belgian capacity market.
The Belgian transmission system operator Elia is responsible for the implementation of the capacity mechanism. The German transmission system operators support Elia in the implementation and are available in case of questions for German capacities providers.
Cross-border participation in the Belgian capacity mechanism is possible for one delivery period (November - October). German capacity providers can participate in the corresponding pre-auctions in May to June, provided they are directly connected to the electricity grid of a German transmission system operator. The auction is preceded by a prequalification process, which begins in April with an “Admission Process”.
The timetable is as follows: