By David Sierra, Head of Product at Energy One France
Don’t forget: At the end of this month, a major new reform in France’s electricity market will come into effect.
In case you haven’t heard, starting 31 December 2025, all electricity generation assets in France with plants of 10MW or above – including renewables – must participate in the national balancing mechanism (Mécanisme d’ajustement) operated by the French TSO, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE) – Article L321-13 of the Energy Code.
This means generators will need to submit upward and downward bids (flexibility) through mechanisms such as the Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve (mFRR), to contribute to the balancing of the grid.
The ‘balancing act’ was traditionally played by gas, coal and hydro generators, with very limited involvement from renewable producers. But come the end of the year, the balance will shift, in what is considered a major modification to how France manages and balances its electricity.
What do we know about the root of this reform?
It certainly seems that the reason for the reform lies in the increasing challenges associated with intermittent renewable generation. It also aligns with Europe’s Clean Energy Package, which is designed to enable the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The balancing mechanism is a complex system, and this obligation is going to affect many producers in the renewable space. Real-time data systems are going to be essential for producers who are dipping their toes into the waters of the balancing mechanism for the first time. So, what can affected players do in the face of this mandatory requirement?
Energy One: We’ll get you mFRR-ready!
For those who are in a hurry to find a way to be compliant when the calendar hits 31 December, they would be reassured to know that, here at Energy One, we have everything they need to be mFRR-ready.
Our out-of-the-box eZ-Ops solution is already being used by leading players for the exact purpose of participating in the balancing mechanism. It’s simply a case of ‘plug and play’ for those who require a compliant solution – fast.
With our asset scheduling module, asset owners can submit offers to RTE and receive activation orders seamlessly. This ensures full compliance with the new obligation, while optimising operations. In addition to our software solution, our global operations services are available 24/7 to schedule and nominate on behalf of producers and generators, and handle assets activation.
With both the tools and the operators, Energy One is here to help renewable players reduce the complexity of this regulatory reform.
Need to perfect your balancing act?
For producers and generators looking for a solution to navigate this seismic shift that comes into play at the end of this month, simply submit your details via our Contact Form and one of our experts will be in touch promptly.
