Electricity can now be bought and sold on the exchange up to 30 minutes before delivery

In 2025, solar and wind power plants accounted for 44% of total electricity generation in the Baltic region and are expected to become the dominant form of electricity production in the foreseeable future. As electricity generation from solar and wind sources is dependent on weather conditions, and weather forecasts are more accurate in the short term, it is essential to enable electricity trading closer to the time of delivery. As part of the continued development of the electricity market, the possibility to trade electricity up to 30 minutes before delivery is being implemented across Europe, according to Latvia’s transmission system operator, JSC Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST).

European transmission system operators will implement this solution gradually by 2029. Transmission system operators in Latvia and the other Baltic states have already begun implementation. As of 14 January, the solution has been introduced at the Latvia – Estonia bidding zone border, with implementation at the Latvia – Lithuania border expected to follow in the near future.

These changes form part of a broader electricity market design reform aimed at increasing market efficiency and flexibility, as well as improving the market’s ability to adapt to changing generation and consumption conditions across Europe. By reducing the intraday market gate closure time from 60 to 30 minutes before the start of electricity delivery, market participants are able to react significantly closer to real time. This enhances market flexibility and supports more accurate price formation, as transactions better reflect current generation and consumption conditions.

The changes are particularly important for the integration of weather-dependent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Trading closer to the time of delivery reduces forecasting errors and allows producers and consumers to align their market positions more accurately with actual conditions. As a result, the need for balancing energy and the associated system costs are reduced, while the overall efficiency and security of the electricity system are improved.

To enable the introduction of a 30-minute cross-zonal intraday market gate closure time, AST and other European transmission system operators have implemented significant improvements to their operational and control systems, working in close cooperation at the cross-border level.

Transmission system operators will continue to publish updates on implementation timelines for each bidding zone border on the ENTSO-E website.

More information:

ENTSO E consultation on the amendment of the IDCZGCT methodology

All TSOs’ Explanatory Note: Intraday cross-zonal gate opening and gate closure times (IDCZGOCT)

About JSC "Augstsprieguma tīkls"

AST, the Latvian electrical power transmission system operator, ensures uninterrupted and secure transmission of electricity throughout Latvia. Its vision is to become the leading transmission system operator in the region through the efficient and successful implementation of development-oriented changes. AST has 68.46% shareholding in the capital of the operator of the natural gas transmission and storage system JSC “Conexus Baltic Grid”.