PC_2025_E_05 - Public consultation on amendments to Europe's electricity capacity calculation regions

On 2 July 2025, electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) submitted to ACER a proposal to amend how European capacity calculation regions (CCRs) are defined.

CCRs are geographic areas across Europe that group neighbouring electricity bidding zones and their borders. In each region, TSOs work together to determine how much electricity can flow safely between zones and coordinate key grid operations (such as congestion management) using harmonised regional methodologies. 

There are currently nine CCRs in Europe: Nordic, Hansa, Core, Italy North, Central Europe (CE), Greece-Italy (GRIT), South-West Europe (SWE), Baltic and South-East Europe (SEE).

In their proposal, TSOs recommend two changes:

1. Expanding the existing South-East Europe region and introducing three new CCRs:

   • East-Central Europe (ECE), temporarily*;
   • Italy-Montenegro (IT-ME); and
   • Eastern Europe (EE).

   All these CCRs would include bidding zone borders and TSOs from the Energy Community countries.

   *The ECE region is proposed as a temporary setup, with the intention to merge it with the CE region in the future.

2. Merging the Core and Italy North regions for certain timeframes and operations:

   • intraday capacity calculation timeframe;
   • regional operational security coordination (ROSC); and
   • coordinated redispatching and countertrading (RDCT), which are tools used by the TSOs to adjust power flows and relieve network congestion, along with their associated cost-sharing methodology (RDCT CS). 

   Currently, the Central Europe region only coordinates capacity calculation for the day-ahead timeframe.

These proposed changes aim to reflect the growing integration of Energy Community countries into the EU electricity market and to strengthen cooperation and efficiency across borders.

Why ACER is involved

Under the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management (CACM) Regulation, ACER must assess whether the TSOs’ proposal supports market integration, ensures efficient use of the electricity grid and supports the well-functioning of the EU electricity market.

To inform its decision-making process, ACER invites all stakeholders to share their views by 3 September 2025.

Access the survey.

All TSOs’ proposal to amend the determination of capacity calculation regions.

All TSOs' proposal with track changes.

Explanatory note.

Privacy statement.

ACER aims to reach a decision by December 2025.