CRM

  • Commercial and market outlook

    Editor’s Pick | Is ESB’s market dominance still a concern?

    The Electricity Supply Board (ESB). It doesn’t take too long venturing into the Irish energy sector before one encounters this company. Founded in 1927, the former monopoly provider was responsible for rural electrification in 1946. ESB group companies own the network and participate in generation and supply markets. In the...

  • Low carbon generation

    One step beyond: First T-4 auction results

    The CRM T-4 Capacity auction is one of the new procurement processes being rolled out in SEM that will determine the future make up of the generation portfolio. The other auctions that will have an impact over the coming year will be the DS3 capped procurement and the Renewable Electricity...

  • Low carbon generation

    Pour some sugar on me: T-4 CRM auction

    With the introduction of I-SEM last week, other releases in the energy market may have gone unremarked, including the SEM Committee’s (SEMC) decision on the parameters for the first T-4 Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auction. Making a robust investment case for new-build dispatchable assets has been a challenge in Ireland...

  • Low carbon generation

    Red Dead Redemption – T-1 CRM competition

    Despite historical oversupply in the Irish and Northern Irish electricity generation market (14.9GW relative to a peak demand of approximately 7GW), a sharp tightening could happen soon, and ironically because of measures designed to support security margins. The catalyst for this is the upcoming Capacity Remuneration Market (CRM) auction, which...

  • Low carbon generation

    Ch-ch-changes – demand side and the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism

    This week saw the release of the SEM Committee (SEMC) decision on T-1 2019/20 Capacity Auction Parameters and Enduring De-rating Methodology (SEM-18-030). This was then followed up by SEM-O releasing the Initial Auction Information Pack and qualification pack for the December auction. The first Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) took place...

  • Low carbon generation

    Are you gonna go my way? | SEMC consults on changes to T-4 capacity auction

    On 14 May the SEM Committee (SEMC) published a consultation on the Capacity Renumeration Mechanism (CRM) focusing on interim arrangements, updating auction design and specific parameters for the first T-4 auction for capacity year 2022-23. It is an important document for potential bidders into the March 2019 auction as, if...

  • Low carbon generation

    Eirgrid and DS3 – a lot done, more to do

    On 29 March Eirgrid published its long-awaited consultation on the Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) System Services Volume Capped Competitive Procurement. It provided some welcome detail on the next steps for DS3, but there are residual questions outstanding which make it difficult for current investors to ascertain risks...

  • Power and gas networks

    With or without you – the Ireland and GB gas systems

    On 1 March 2018 National Grid issued a Gas Deficit Warning (GDW) for the GB market due to the predicted supply and demand imbalance. Ireland can hardly be a passive observer when it comes to the GB gas market given the interconnection and market flows. The Island of Ireland and...

  • Low carbon generation

    Ireland’s thermal plants sail into probing wind

    The level of wind penetration in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe. This has already had some major impacts on the market, including depressed wholesale prices; reduced running hours for some thermal plants; and curtailment of wind output. This week’s blog considers wider interactions of wind generation with...

  • Low carbon generation

    CRM auction: age isn’t everything

    Media reports in Ireland and Northern Ireland are raising concerns over the possibility of power plant closures. The threatened shutdowns arise due to the outcome of the T-1 Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auction. The closures may commence as early as May 2018 if the coverage is to be believed. How...

  • Low carbon generation

    Capacity Remuneration Mechanism in Ireland

    Energy Spectrum Ireland comment On 20 December 2017 EirGrid and SONI published the provisional Capacity Auction results for the 2018-19 Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) T-1 auction, held on the 15th December 2017. Subject to approval the Regulatory Authorities, the final results at a Capacity Market Unit level will be published...