Business User News

European Transmission System Operators (TSOs) are announcing that, as of today, a first subset of European bidding zone borders has successfully implemented the 30-minute Intraday Cross-Zonal Gate Closure Time (IDCZGCT). This marks an important step in the ongoing process to harmonize intraday market timings across Europe, in line with the Electricity Market Design Reform.

Advancing Market Integration and Supporting Renewables

The IDCZGCT represents the last opportunity for market participants to submit cross-border trades before electricity delivery begins. Reducing this time from 60 minutes to 30 minutes before delivery better synchronizes operations with generation, giving participants greater flexibility to adjust their positions. Shorter lead times also facilitate renewable integration by enabling participants to refine their trading positions closer to delivery and respond to the latest generation forecasts, helping to lower overall balancing costs.

Step-by-Step Implementation

The transition will progressively unfold, with additional borders joining the shift to the 30-minute IDCZGCT in the upcoming years. By 2029, with the expiration of the first derogation period, most of the European borders are expected to apply this timing.

For further information, TSOs will keep publishing updates on implementation timelines for each bidding zone border on ENTSO-E’s website.