Arnhem / Paris, 23rd of May 2022. GOPACS and EPEX SPOT will cooperate to utilize more flexible power in the Dutch national electricity grid. Both parties have entered into an agreement committing to establishing a connection between the EPEX market platform and the GOPACS platform. GOPACS is the coordination platform for Dutch grid operators that allows them to reduce congestion in the electricity grid. EPEX SPOT is the largest power exchange active in Europe. The cooperation between the two parties helps grid operators in the Netherlands to better match supply and demand in the electricity grid in order to reduce congestion. This cooperation is fully in line with the goals of both organizations: using the full potential of flexibility resources to facilitate the integration of renewables, whose variable generation profile adds tension to power grids across Europe.

GOPACS important tool for solving congestion
The energy transition demands more and more capacity from the electricity grid. Local generation, such as wind and solar parks, on the one hand, and a higher demand for electricity on the other, require more transport capacity in the grid than is available. This is referred to as congestion. The grid operators are working on expanding and upgrading the electricity grid, but this process is costly and takes time. Meanwhile, grid operators and energy businesses such as EPEX SPOT, are also working on alternative solutions, for instance reducing congestion by optimizing supply and demand with the help of parties from the power market. In the Netherlands, this is done with and via GOPACS. Connecting Europe's largest energy trading platform EPEX SPOT to GOPACS opens up new opportunities for both market participants and grid operators.

“We are extremely pleased with our cooperation with EPEX SPOT. It further enables us to solve the increasing problems of congestion in our electricity grids in a more effective and cost-efficient way”, says Dennis Stufkens, Chairman of the GOPACS Foundation. He adds: “In our continuous efforts to solve local congestion situations together with market parties, it is important for GOPACS to provide all relevant market players the opportunity to utilize their flexible capacity. It helps to solve congestion and at the same time they can generate additional revenue. From the start, we have actively supported the energy transition in an innovative way with GOPACS and we will continue to do so.”

EPEX SPOT members bring additional flexibility potential
Grid operators with congestion situations publish their requests for flexibility to solve the congestion situations via GOPACS. Thanks to the new cooperation between EPEX SPOT and GOPACS, EPEX SPOT members with flexible assets in the Netherlands will be able to send locational bids directly to grid operators through the EPEX SPOT market platform. This happens via the same trading system used by EPEX for its existing pan-European Intraday continuous market.  Both a buy and a sell order are necessary to maintain balance in the system on a national level. The provided flexibility is then used to physically solve grid congestions.

The cooperation between GOPACS and EPEX SPOT brings additional opportunities for EPEX SPOT members to value their flexibility in the Netherlands. GOPACS and its grid operators benefit from a connection to a bigger pool of flexibility providers, which increases liquidity.

“We look very much forward to our cooperation with GOPACS, building on our solid expertise of operating the Dutch power market for over 20 years. With innovations like these we facilitate the energy transition, making it more cost-efficient for the end consumer. This project is in line with our continuous efforts to invest in innovative solutions with the goal of easing grid congestions” explains Ralph Danielski, Chief Executive Officer of EPEX SPOT. He adds: “Thanks to this cooperation, we offer additional access to members with assets in the Netherlands. By bringing together offer and demand for location specific needs, we enable on-the-spot alleviation of grid congestions.”

The new offer completes EPEX SPOT’s product suite of Day-Ahead, Intraday and After-Market trading in the Netherlands.

First flexibility activations next year
The agreement has been signed and preparations have already started. An important milestone is linking the platforms on a technical level. The parties expect the first activations via the EPEX SPOT platform early 2023.

Market parties with flexible assets in the Netherlands that want to offer their flexible energy supply and/or demand (provided with location data) for use on GOPACS can contact their account manager of their Dutch grid operator or apply on this website. Market participants who wish to offer flexibility via EPEX SPOT can get in touch with their key account manager.