High-level design for the compliance of the Greek wholesale electricity market with the Target Model provisions in Europe

The stated aim of the European Commission has been the unbounded flow of energy across Europe and the effective functioning of a single European power market so as to achieve secure, sustainable and affordable energy supplies, as well as to foster competition and increase the utilization of electricity networks and generation capacity. Most countries have already adapted or are gradually adapting their wholesale markets to the provisions of the so called Target Model for the internal electricity market in Europe, however Greece still lies behind in this binding target. In this paper, the basic design variables and respective options for the integration of the Greek wholesale electricity market with the other European markets under the Target Model paradigm are presented. The design variables refer to all market instances and mechanisms. The proposed choices are justified in terms of effectiveness and market power mitigation, considering the current market structure in Greece. A transitional phase for the full integration of the Greek Intraday and Balancing Markets is proposed, considering the relevant evolutions in the wholesale markets of Greece’s neighboring countries. Finally, a simulation analysis is performed in order to highlight the implications on schedules of utilizing European-based order formats in the restructured Greek electricity market.