On 16 July 2026, the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) adopted Decision No 09/2026 approving the first amendment to the long-term capacity calculation methodology (LT CCM) for the Core capacity calculation region (CCR). The decision, published on 17 July 2026, follows a referral from Core regulatory authorities after they failed to agree on a proposal submitted by transmission system operators (TSOs) on 19 January 2026.
The amendment updates the methodology for determining cross-zonal capacity in forward markets, as required under Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1719 (FCA Regulation). The original Core LT CCM was approved by ACER Decision 14/2021 on 3 November 2021, later replaced by Decision 03/2023 on 18 January 2023 following an appeal by Polish TSO PSE. The new amendment, proposed by Core TSOs, was referred to ACER on 4 February 2026 after regulatory authorities could not reach consensus. ACER's decision, supported by a favourable opinion from its Board of Regulators on 8 July 2026, amends and approves the proposal as set out in Annex I, with a consolidated version in Annex II.
The decision impacts TSOs in the Core CCR, who must implement the amended methodology, and national regulatory authorities, which will oversee compliance. Electricity market participants may benefit from more predictable long-term capacity allocation, potentially enhancing cross-border trade. However, the amendment may impose additional operational costs on TSOs for system adjustments. The decision does not introduce major policy shifts but refines existing technical rules, with no immediate institutional follow-up required beyond implementation by TSOs.