ACER will consult on amendments to the REMIT market participant registration format and the CEREMP platform

Image
Handling documents and data
Intro News
To keep up with evolving regulatory and technical requirements (including the 2024 revision of REMIT), ACER plans to update the REMIT market participant registration format and the Centralised European Register of Energy Market Participants platform.

ACER will consult on amendments to the REMIT market participant registration format and the CEREMP platform

What is it about?

The Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT) is the EU framework that protects consumers and businesses from energy market manipulation and insider trading.

Under REMIT, all market participants must register with the national regulatory authority in the country where they operate. Each regulator is responsible for establishing and maintaining a national register of market participants. 

At EU level, ACER manages the European register of market participants, which is publicly available through the Centralised European Register of Energy Market Participants (CEREMP) platform and collects Member States’ national registers.

To ensure consistent data collection across the EU, ACER established a common registration format in 2012.

Why consult?

To keep up with evolving regulatory and technical requirements (including the 2024 revision of REMIT), ACER plans to update both the registration format and the CEREMP platform.

Next steps

To inform its decision-making, ACER will seek stakeholders’ feedback on possible amendments through a public consultation from 1 to 29 October 2025.

Transmission capacities for cross-zonal electricity trade and grid congestion management

  • Electricity
Image
Electricity pylon against a blue sky

2025 Monitoring Report

The report examines the role of cross-zonal electricity trade in shaping a more integrated and efficient EU electricity market. It:

  • Illustrates the value of cross-zonal electricity trade in enabling efficient price formation and enhancing system flexibility in the EU, supporting the energy transition and protecting consumers from price volatility. 

  • Tracks progress, challenges and potential benefits in implementing the minimum 70% requirement, while underscoring the need for timely action by transmission system operators (TSOs) to realise these gains. 

  • Assesses ongoing challenges related to managing grid congestion and the growing reliance on costly remedial actions by TSOs across the EU.

Unlocking additional cross-zonal electricity trade

The 2019 Clean Energy Package introduced a legal requirement on EU electricity TSOs to make at least 70% of their physical transmission capacity available for cross-zonal trade (by the end of 2025 at the latest), on all lines of cross-zonal relevance. This ensures that enough transmission capacity is allocated for cross-zonal trade with neighbours and mitigates its discrimination over internal trade. 

ACER estimates that the EU electricity market could have gained €580 million in welfare in 2024 through more electricity trading, had the Core region TSOs (from 13 central EU Member States) implemented the 70% requirement. Instead, due to the partial fulfilment of the 70% rule, only 40% of this potential gain was realised.

What are ACER’s findings?

ACER’s 2025 report on cross-zonal capacities and congestion management finds: 

  • Untapped value of additional cross-zonal trade: Persistent price differences between bidding zones highlight the need for more cross-zonal trade to unlock further market benefits.

  • The 70% requirement ensures that domestic electricity flows are not prioritised over cross-border trade, mitigates price spikes (such as those seen in summer 2024 across South-East Europe) and brings significant additional welfare to EU electricity markets.

  • Progress, but the ‘end-2025 deadline’ is at risk: While TSOs are progressing towards fulfilling the 70% requirement, implementation delays could prevent some of them from meeting the requirement by the legal deadline at the end of 2025. In 2024, Core TSOs made available on average 54% of the physical capacity on the most congested lines.

  • Growing grid congestion:  Delays in grid reinforcement continue to widen the gap between grid development and system needs, ensuring continued reliance on costly remedial actions to relieve grid congestion. In 2024, EU TSOs spent €4.3 billion on 60 TWh (comparable to Austria’s annual electricity consumption) of remedial actions to manage EU power grid congestion.

ACER recommendations

This ACER report underlines the importance of cross-zonal trade as a key source of power system flexibility, helping to shield consumers from price volatility and supporting the integration of renewables. ACER recommends:

  • TSOs and nominated electricity market operators (NEMOs) to continue improving how available cross-zonal capacity is calculated and allocated. For example, by refining the fallback process in the day-ahead capacity calculation process of the Core region and by applying flow-based allocation in pan-European intraday auctions. 

  • Member States and TSOs to relieve highly congested network elements by prioritising the 70% requirement and investing in grid-enhancing technologies (non-wire alternatives). 

  • TSOs to promptly implement the EU framework for congestion management to ensure grid congestion is addressed efficiently and in a coordinated manner.

Highlights

  • €580m

    expected welfare gains had TSOs in the Core region made 70% of capacity available for cross-zonal electricity trade in 2024.

  • 147

    severe price spikes potentially avoided in South-East Europe in summer 2024 if 70% capacity had been offered.

  • €4.3bn

    cost of managing grid congestion in the EU in 2024 (amounting to 60 TWh, comparable to Austria’s power demand).

Report

ACER’s 2025 Monitoring Report on cross-zonal capacities and congestion management:

  • quantifies the value of cross-zonal trade in the EU electricity market;
  • assesses progress in meeting the minimum 70% requirement in the EU.

  Access the report. 

Infographic

Interested in the main highlights of the report?

 Check out our infographic.

Dashboard

This dashboard offers access to the following data: 

  • general indicators on cross-zonal trade; 
  • volume and cost of managing grid congestion across the EU; and
  • progress in meeting the 70% requirement by capacity calculation region.

  Access the dashboard.

Additional information

No

ACER consultancy study recommends improvements for EU scenario development

Image
Transmission grid
Intro News
ACER publishes a consultancy study aimed at identifying current challenges and areas for improvement in the development of energy scenarios used for long-term infrastructure planning and system adequacy assessments at EU level.

ACER consultancy study recommends improvements for EU scenario development

Why a consultancy study?

Achieving the EU’s decarbonisation targets will require better use of existing energy grids as well as new investments. Identifying infrastructure needs and assessing system adequacy must be based on robust and consistent scenarios that reflect both national and EU objectives. 

To support this effort, ACER publishes a consultancy study aimed at identifying current challenges and areas for improvement in the development of energy scenarios used for long-term infrastructure planning and system adequacy assessments at EU level. This work also supports the broader objectives of the EU’s Action Plan for Affordable Energy, which emphasises the importance of resilient infrastructure and forward-looking investments in strengthening Europe’s economic and energy future.

The study focuses on two key planning processes:

  • the Ten-Year Network Development Plans (TYNDPs) by ENTSO-E and ENTSOG; and

  • the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA) by ENTSO-E.

The study’s findings underline the need for better coordination and transparency in the scenario development process, which are key to enabling timely investments that help drive Europe’s energy transition. The study also aims to assist stakeholders, policymakers and decision-makers who use or contribute to these scenarios. 

What are the key findings? 

The study finds that:

  • National energy and climate plans (NECPs), which underpin the TYNDPs and ERAA scenarios, often lack sufficient information and clarity. More detailed and easily accessible data would allow for more accurate and consistent scenarios development.

  • The timing of the ERAA, TYNDPs and national energy and climate plans is not aligned, raising concerns about the reliability and consistency of the input data, particularly when updated national energy and climate plans are not yet available.

  • National energy and climate plans integration into EU-wide scenarios remains partial. Despite recent improvements, there is still no formal validation process to ensure TYNDP and ERAA scenarios accurately reflect NECPs.

  • Harmonisation across scenarios used in TYNDPs and ERAA is still limited. Better alignment is needed to ensure consistency across the two exercises. 

  • Transparency and stakeholder engagement, particularly in the ERAA process, should be further enhanced. This includes consultations on key input, parameters and assumptions used, clear documentation and publishing of any deviations from national energy and climate plans data.

Interested in the study? 

Register for ACER’s webinar on 11 September 2025 to learn about its main findings and engage with experts.

ACER finds Croatian gas tariff methodology largely in line, while Finland has yet to address gaps

Image
Gas pipe undersea
Intro News
ACER releases two reports assessing whether the proposed reference price methodologies for the Croatian and Finnish natural gas transmission tariffs comply with the EU Network Code on Harmonised Transmission Tariff Structures.

ACER finds Croatian gas tariff methodology largely in line, while Finland has yet to address gaps

What is it about?

ACER releases two reports assessing whether the proposed reference price methodologies for the Croatian and Finnish natural gas transmission tariffs comply with the EU Network Code on Harmonised Transmission Tariff Structures.

The reports are addressed to:

  • the Croatian national regulatory authority (NRA), Hrvatska energetska regulatorna agencija (HERA); and
  • the Finnish natural gas transmission system operator (TSO), Gasgrid Finland Oy (Gasgrid).

ACER finds that Croatia’s proposal makes only minor adjustments to the previous well-functioning methodology (last updated in 2019), while Finland’s proposal retains its existing approach (2020) without addressing some of ACER’s earlier recommendations.

What is proposed?

Croatia proposes to:

  • Keep the current postage stamp reference price methodology, with a 60/40% split between entry and exit points.
  • Phase out the current tariff discount at the Krk LNG terminal entry point to the transmission system.
  • Continue recovering all transmission revenues through capacity-based tariffs.
  • Pre-set tariffs for a five-year period, with different tariff levels each year.

Finland proposes to:

  • Keep the current postage stamp reference price methodology at domestic exit points.
  • Remain in the Finnish-Estonian-Latvian (FinEstLat) market area, applying common entry tariffs and zero tariffs at interconnection points within the area.
  • Establish a commodity-based connection capacity charge to recover costs fairly from users that consume gas only during peak periods. 
  • Maintain the flow-based charge.
  • Apply two non-transmission tariffs: a datahub charge and the Balticconnector underutilisation fee (charged when network users cut back their planned gas flows at short notice, beyond an allowed limit, on days of congestion).

What are ACER’s key findings and recommendations? 

Croatia 

After analysing the consultation document, ACER concludes that:

  • The proposed methodology meets EU requirements on transparency, avoidance of cross-subsidisation, non-discrimination, volume risk and prevention of cross-border trade distortions.
  • Compliance with the requirements on cost-reflectivity cannot be fully assessed, as it is unclear how the applied economic efficiency justification parameter affects the cost-reflectivity of the allowed revenue.
  • The tariff methodologies for non-transmission services (the connection service and the 24 proposed non-standard services) lack sufficient details.

ACER recommends the Croatian NRA to:

  • Ensure that the economic efficiency justification parameter does not compromise the principle of cost-reflectivity.
  • Clarify how non-yearly bookings are handled in tariff setting.
  • Align the tariff period with the Network Code’s requirements.

Finland

After analysing the consultation document, ACER concludes that: 

  • The proposed methodology meets EU requirements on non-discrimination, volume risk and prevention of cross-border trade distortions.
  • It partially meets the transparency requirements.
  • Compliance with the requirements on cost-reflectivity and avoidance of cross-subsidisation cannot be fully assessed, mainly due to a lack of clarity on the effects of the market merger.
  • The proposed connection capacity charge does not meet commodity charge criteria due to multiple factors, including its partial application to non-system user entities (e.g. distribution operators and their end-users).

ACER recommends the Finnish TSO to:

  • Reconsider the new connection capacity charge to ensure it meets commodity charge criteria.
  • Categorise the Balticconnector underutilisation fee as a balancing service, since it falls within the scope of the Network Code on Gas Balancing.

What are the next steps?

ACER encourages the Croatian NRA and the Finnish TSO to take these recommendations into account before adopting the final tariff methodologies.

See all ACER reports on national tariff consultation documents. 

ACER endorses the 2024 European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA), confirming its relevance for EU energy security

Image
Windturbine
Intro News
For the second consecutive year, ACER has approved the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA 2024) proposed by ENTSO-E.

ACER endorses the 2024 European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA), confirming its relevance for EU energy security

What is it about?

For the second consecutive year, ACER has approved the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA 2024) proposed by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). This approval confirms the ERAA as a reliable tool in assessing EU’s security of electricity supply. As its relevance grows, so does the need for continuous improvements in future editions.

What is the ERAA?

The ERAA is ENTSO-E’s annual assessment on the risks to the EU’s security of supply. It provides a 10-year outlook to help policymakers take informed and timely decisions on security of electricity supply. The next edition, ERAA 2025, will be released in November 2025.

What does ACER say about ERAA 2024? 

ACER’s second approval confirms ERAA is a trusted tool for monitoring the adequacy of electricity resources (see ACER’s communication on the ERAA 2023). It highlights how shortages in one Member State can impact others and emphasises the importance of regional solidarity, showing the value of cross-border cooperation in managing scarcity.

The approved ERAA 2024 reflects ongoing efforts to ensure better alignment with the established ERAA methodology. ACER finds that this year’s edition largely meets expectations due to several improvements:

  • More robust estimation of cross-zonal capacities using a flow-based calculation method, in line with current industry practice.
  • A more representative selection of weather scenarios.
  • Closer alignment with the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) for renewable assumptions.

ACER’s suggestions for improving future editions

To ensure the ERAA evolves in line with the methodology and remains a reliable tool for policymakers, further enhancements are needed in three priority areas:

  • Reduce the consistency gap between ERAA’s investment and adequacy modules.
  • Improve national assumptions’ transparency by explaining the main drivers behind the estimates (especially for demand).
  • In future ERAA editions, explain what has changed compared to the previous one, allowing stakeholders to follow the developments. 

Without these improvements, the ERAA gradually risks falling behind. A lack of alignment between its two modules could disconnect market revenues from investment, weakening the tool’s usefulness. Increased consistency and transparency, both long advocated by ACER, are key to meeting the expectations of policymakers and the wider public. For future editions, a full assessment of the existing capacity markets is necessary to contribute to the European Commission’s ‘fast track’ initiative for streamlining the capacity mechanism approval process. 

What are the next steps? 

As ENTSO-E prepares its proposal for ERAA 2025 (expected by November 2025), ACER remains actively engaged with ENTSO-E, Member States, the European Commission and the Joint Research Centre to foster improvements. ACER’s ongoing efforts include:

Would you like to dive into the topic?

Use ACER’s updated dynamic dashboard to:

  • Explore the data categories used in all ERAA’s editions, including those proposed for ERAA 2025. 
  • Compare how the estimated electricity demand varies across past editions. 
  • Check the estimates for power resources, such as batteries and gas-fired plants in 2030 (and beyond) for each EU Member State.  

ACER grants Swedish and Lithuanian regulators more time to decide on electricity cross-zonal risk hedging opportunities

Image
Electricity pylons on a green field
Intro News
On 11 August 2025, ACER has granted the requested extension by Swedish and Lithuanian regulators. They now have until 12 November 2025 to decide on the cross-zonal risk hedging opportunities at their borders.

ACER grants Swedish and Lithuanian regulators more time to decide on electricity cross-zonal risk hedging opportunities

What is it about?

On 9 May 2025, the Swedish and Lithuanian national regulatory authorities (Energy Markets Inspectorate and National Energy Regulatory Council, respectively) requested from ACER a six-month extension to reach a joint decision on electricity cross-zonal risk hedging opportunities at the Swedish-Lithuanian border.

On 11 August 2025, ACER has granted the requested extension. The regulators now have until 12 November 2025 to decide on the matter.

What is this ACER Decision about? 

Cross-zonal risk hedging opportunities are strategies used by electricity market participants to mitigate price volatility risks across different bidding zones. They are important for ensuring the proper functioning of EU's wholesale electricity markets and protecting market participants from price uncertainty.

Under the Forward Capacity Allocation Network Code, national regulatory authorities must assess whether forward electricity markets in their respective bidding zones offer sufficient hedging opportunities. If these are deemed insufficient, the regulators must coordinate to either:

  • introduce long-term transmission rights (LTTRs); or
  • task transmission system operators (TSOs) with implementing alternative measures that enhance cross-zonal hedging.

To meet this requirement, the Swedish and Lithuanian regulators asked their TSOs to propose alternative measures to improve hedging opportunities in the Lithuanian bidding zone. The TSOs submitted a joint proposal to the regulators, but since some aspects were unclear, the regulators requested more time for a thorough review.

ACER’s latest REMIT Quarterly is out

Image
Energy market
Intro News
ACER has published it’s 41st REMIT Quarterly, covering second quarter of 2025 and the latest developments under the regulation.

ACER’s latest REMIT Quarterly is out

What is it about?

ACER’s REMIT Quarterly provides updates on the Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT) and related activities, including insights into the 2024 revision of the REMIT Regulation to help stakeholders stay informed on changes that enhance transparency and integrity in the European energy market.

Today, ACER has published its 41st REMIT Quarterly, covering second quarter of 2025 and the latest developments under the Regulation.

What is in the latest REMIT Quarterly?

This edition highlights the launch of two major transparency tools: the REMIT Data Reference Centre and the Inside Information Access Point, both introduced in May 2025. These ACER applications give public access to non-sensitive market data and inside information, supporting better analysis, oversight and research. A webinar in June presented how to use these new tools.

The report also includes:

ACER webinar: Improving EU scenario development to meet future energy needs

ACER webinar: Improving EU scenario development to meet future energy needs

Online
11/09/2025 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Brussels)
Event banner

ACER recommends flexible and transparent inter-temporal cost allocation to support hydrogen investments

Image
Hydrogen transportation pipe
Intro News
ACER publishes its first Recommendation on inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms for financing hydrogen infrastructure.

ACER recommends flexible and transparent inter-temporal cost allocation to support hydrogen investments

What is it about?

ACER publishes today its first Recommendation on inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms for financing hydrogen infrastructure. To ensure the recommendation is well-informed, ACER conducted a public consultation on the topic in spring 2025. 

What is inter-temporal cost allocation and why an ACER recommendation?

The EU aims to build a cost-effective hydrogen network to meet its climate goals. However, high infrastructure costs and demand uncertainty pose significant investment challenges, especially in the early stages of market development.

To address this issue, the EU Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gases Regulation (2024) grants Member States the authority to allow hydrogen network operators to recover infrastructure costs gradually over time through inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms. These aim to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of costs between early and future consumers, ensuring that the former are not disproportionately burdened.

The regulation also assigns new hydrogen-related tasks to ACER, including issuing a recommendation to guide the development and implementation of inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms. ACER’s Recommendation provides practical advice to support the rollout of hydrogen networks and ensure fair cost-sharing over the long term. 

What does ACER recommend? 

ACER’s Recommendation identifies key investment risks in hydrogen infrastructure and suggests ways to address them. It offers high-level guidance on designing fair and effective inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms to support the development of the hydrogen market. ACER also highlights the need for Member States to promptly establish clear hydrogen regulatory frameworks and develop flexible national rules to accommodate the future EU-wide hydrogen network codes.

Given the early stage of the hydrogen market and the lack of established best practices, ACER does not yet propose a single, standardised EU-wide approach. Instead, it calls for:

  • Regulatory authorities to:
    • ensure that inter-temporal cost allocation mechanisms and national market rules are developed in a coordinated manner;
    • strengthen cross-border coordination to avoid market fragmentation in the initial stage of the hydrogen market; and
    • establish clear and robust mechanisms that guarantee full cost recovery and fair cost distribution over time to support market growth.
  • Network operators and planning bodies to:
    • ensure hydrogen network development is based on transparent, data-driven and realistic assumptions.

What are the next steps? 

ACER will review and update its Recommendation at least every two years, incorporating more refined guidance as the market evolves. The next publication is planned for 2027.