Ireland Single Electricity Market Regulations SI 117 2017: Balancing Market Guide

Key Takeaways

• S.I. No. 117/2017 establishes the statutory framework for the Single Electricity Market (SEM) Balancing Market.
• The regulations are made under Section 9BA(2) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.
• They define the Balancing Market as facilitating market-based management of electricity balancing.
• The framework integrates European cross-border network codes and guidelines.

Understanding S.I. No. 117 of 2017

S.I. No. 117/2017, formally known as the "Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Single Electricity Market) (No. 2) Regulations 2017," enacts statutory reforms for the all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM). These regulations define the Balancing Market framework and integrate European cross-border network codes. They are established under Section 9BA(2) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.

The regulations establish statutory Balancing Market rules. These rules facilitate market-based electricity balancing across the all-island grid.

The Balancing Market Framework

The regulations define the Balancing Market as "a market in which arrangements facilitate the market based management of electricity balancing." This framework includes the "terms of the trading and settlement arrangements for the sale and purchase (on a wholesale basis) of electricity in a Balancing Market." It also covers "settlement arrangements with respect to a capacity market."

Joint Regulation and European Integration

S.I. No. 117/2017 is made jointly with Northern Ireland's Utility Regulator. This follows "consultation with the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation." The regulations incorporate "European Union rules for cross-border trade in electricity." This includes "network codes established under Article 6 of the Electricity Market Regulation" and "guidelines adopted under Article 18 of the Electricity Market Regulation."

Dispute Resolution and Confidentiality

The regulations include "a mechanism to effect the resolution of disputes between parties to the code, as amended, by a dispute resolution board established pursuant to that code." They also address "the publication of information, as may be determined by the Commission, and subject to preservation of the confidentiality of such commercially sensitive information."