Besides TSOs, balancing markets rely on two key roles: the Balancing Service Provider (BSP) and the Balance Responsible Party (BRP). While BSPs provide the flexibility needed to balance the electricity system, BRPs are responsible for managing and settling imbalances within their portfolios.
A BSP can be a generator, storage operator, aggregator or demand-side resource that offers balancing services to a Transmission System Operator (TSO). When supply and demand are not balanced, the TSO can activate BSPs to increase or decrease generation, discharge storage, or reduce consumption. BSPs are typically remunerated for both the availability of their resources and the balancing energy they deliver when activated.
A BRP, on the other hand, is legally and financially responsible for ensuring that electricity injections and withdrawals within its portfolio remain balanced. BRPs manage schedules and forecasts and are subject to imbalance settlement when actual positions deviate from planned positions.
The country factsheets below provide an overview of the requirements applicable to BSPs and BRPs across Europe. For each country, the information is structured around key topics such as approval criteria, balance responsibility, contractual arrangements, application requirements, technical obligations, and financial security provisions, offering a practical overview of how BSP and BRP roles are organised throughout Europe.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Pass prequalification with OST for each balancing product; sign BSP Agreement / Auction Framework before capacity auctions. Covers technical capability, telemetry, and operational tests.
Register and be recognised by OST as a BRP under Albanian Electricity Balancing Market Rules; registration follows procedures set by ERE and OST.
Balance responsibility
BSPs physically deliver balancing energy when activated; activations financially attributed to the BRP of affected delivery points.
Legally and financially responsible for differences between nominated schedules and actual metered injections/withdrawals for each ISP.
Contracts / agreements
Sign Auction Framework Agreement and BSP Agreement with OST; winning BSPs enter specific contracts with performance obligations, activation procedures and penalties.
Sign BRP agreement and settlement relationships with OST. Sets nomination, metering, settlement and invoicing rules under ABM Rules and ERE Decision No.106/2020.
Application content
Unit technical data (max/min MW, ramp, response time), telemetry/SCADA details, evidence of remote control, readiness for prequalification tests. All costs borne by candidate BSP.
Legal entity documents, nominated metering/delivery points, proof of financial/administrative capacity to settle imbalances, IT readiness for submitting schedules.
Technical requirements
Product-specific criteria (response time, accuracy, ramp rates, minimum bid size), real-time telemetry, control/operational tests. Re-test required for new products or increased volume.
Submit nominations/schedules in formats/timescales defined by OST, provide validated metering, comply with OST's messaging and reporting protocols.
Financial security
May need to demonstrate financial reliability during tendering; liable for penalties for non-delivery; prequalification documents specify collateral requirements.
Invoiced for imbalance amounts by OST; must maintain financial arrangements to cover exposure. Non-payment can lead to sanctions per ERE/OST procedures.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Participate in APG's tenders (FCR, aFRR, mFRR) after technical prequalification and signing framework agreements with APG.
Balancing Group Representative (BGR) registers a balancing group (Bilanzgruppe). Deviation forecasts must be submitted; imbalances settled via APCS.
Balance responsibility
Provides balancing energy or reserve capacity to APG when activated; not directly responsible for imbalance settlement.
Responsible for maintaining balance between programmed and actual energy of its balancing group. Deviations settled financially through APCS.
Contracts / agreements
Signs Framework Agreement with APG for each balancing product (FCR, aFRR, mFRR) after successful prequalification.
Signs a Balance Group Contract with APCS, defining rights and obligations for scheduling, metering, and settlement.
Application content
Technical documentation for each unit — response times, ramp rates, control system architecture, and telemetry capability. Prequalification tests must be completed.
Company registration, legal representation, technical readiness, and financial documentation required by APCS. Must register all metering and scheduling points in AMM.
Technical requirements
Product-specific standards — minimum bid size (1 MW), response and activation times, communication links to APG's control system, continuous availability. Remote control mandatory.
Validated metering, telemetry, forecasting systems capable of exchanging data with APCS and APG. Schedules must comply with ENTSO-E SOGL standards.
Financial security
Must demonstrate financial reliability; submit collateral or surety for contracted capacity or penalties. Terms defined in each APG Framework Agreement.
Must provide financial guarantees through APCS to cover potential imbalance settlement costs.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Submit sworn statement and application form; sign T&C for the product (FCR / aFRR / mFRR).
Register on Elia's EPIC portal and be recorded in the Register of BRPs; sign T&C BRP and provide a financial guarantee to Elia.
Balance responsibility
Physically delivers balancing services when activated. Activations alter physical flows attributed to the BRP of delivery points.
Legally and financially bears the imbalance between submitted schedules and actual injections/offtakes on a quarter-hourly basis; invoiced per Elia's imbalance tariff.
Contracts / agreements
Signs Elia's T&C BSP for the relevant product (aFRR, mFRR, FCR). T&Cs include specific contractual annexes.
Signs the T&C BRP. Sets obligations on scheduling, settlement, and data exchange.
Application content
Sworn statement, application form with contact details, company details, bank details for payment of invoices, and information on credit safe rate.
Company/legal documentation, registration of grid access points, bank and invoicing data, acceptance of settlement terms, IT readiness for nominations and data exchange.
Technical requirements
Product-specific technical specs (e.g. minimum ramp rate); metering and communication requirements. Prequalification tests verify remote control, response accuracy and availability.
Submit quarter-hourly schedules, provide validated metering data, exchange messages via EPIC/standardised IT interfaces. Must manage forecasting and intraday schedule updates.
Financial security
Must provide proof of sound financial/economic situation by demonstrating credit safe rate A, B or C.
Must provide a financial guarantee (bank guarantee or account deposit) to Elia as per Appendix 1 of the T&C.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Prequalification process with ESO including application form with technical details, IT interfaces, operating test, telemetry, etc.
Must hold a license for production and/or electricity trade; have common principles for distributing imbalances; meet data exchange requirements; be registered under REMIT.
Balance responsibility
Delivers the balancing service when activated. If also a BRP, responsible for imbalances; otherwise delegates imbalances to another BRP.
Responsible for compensation of deviations between measured electricity quantities and aggregated schedules for each settlement period.
Contracts / agreements
Signs two contracts with ESO — one for reserve services and one for delivering balancing energy services.
Signs a balancing contract with ESO, defining responsibilities for balancing group imbalances, schedule nomination, settlement, invoicing and maintenance of collateral.
Basic company data (UIC number), VAT registration, EIC code, ACER code, contact details, license, bank account, information about entities in balancing group.
Technical requirements
Must pass prequalification tests for the given reserve (telemetry compatibility, delivery rate, response times). Detailed requirements in ESO's T&C for BSPs.
Must meet minimum requirements for maintaining communication equipment. Must conduct successful data exchange tests per Art. 88, para. 3 of the Electricity Trading Rules.
Financial security
No financial security currently required from the BSP.
Must provide a financial guarantee to ESO per Art. 184, para. 1 of Bulgarian Electricity Trading Rules (bank guarantee or deposit). Minimum collateral for new BRP — EUR 80,000.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Pass prequalification, fulfil all technical and operational requirements for the relevant balancing product, and conclude a balancing service agreement with HOPS in accordance with Rules on Balancing (HOPS 12/2023).
Be a legally registered market participant in Croatia or EU; hold appropriate energy activity license issued by HERA; arrange balance responsibility with HOPS; be registered with HROTE; comply with Croatian Electricity Market Rules.
Balance responsibility
Must ensure balancing responsibility coverage, either by being a BRP itself or through contractual arrangement with a BRP.
Forecasting electricity production/consumption, submitting schedules to HOPS/HROTE, ensuring portfolio balance, managing deviations, bearing financial responsibility for imbalances settled by HOPS.
Contracts / agreements
Must sign a separate balancing service agreement with HOPS for each balancing product/service.
Balance responsibility agreement with HOPS; Market Participation Agreement with HROTE; agreements on settlement, data exchange, and financial clearing; contracts with balance group members if applicable.
Application content
Not specifically detailed beyond prequalification requirements.
Not specifically detailed beyond registration requirements.
Technical requirements
Must pass prequalification process and fulfil all technical requirements for the relevant balancing product.
Not specifically detailed beyond compliance with Croatian Electricity Market Rules and Grid Code.
Financial security
Not specifically detailed.
Not specifically detailed.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Sign a framework contract with CEPS; ensure a BRP takes responsibility; conclude contract about payments for balancing energy with OTE; establish communication to CEPS's systems; pass prequalification tests.
Must have a valid electricity market license, be properly registered in the Commercial Register, have a Czech bank account, and be registered under REMIT.
Balance responsibility
When BSP is not a BRP, concludes a contract about transfer of responsibility for imbalance caused by not delivering balancing energy.
Legally responsible for deviations between submitted schedules and actual physical delivery or consumption.
Contracts / agreements
Must sign a framework contract with CEPS; daily contracts via bid in CEPS's trading system.
BRP enters into agreement with OTE (Market Operator) for imbalance settlement.
Application content
Study done by a Certification authority describing balancing unit/group, specifying services, technology, IT links, capability to provide balancing services.
OTE sends PDF of agreement; applicant returns signed version with required documents — licenses, direct debit mandate, VAT registration proof. Foreign companies must provide commercial register extract and tax residence certificate.
Technical requirements
Certification authority conducts product-specific prequalification tests (activation time and accuracy for FCR, ramp rates for FRR). All tests described in T&C for BSPs on ČEPS website.
IT communication with OTE systems. Data formats — generate/parse XML according to OTE XSD/WSDL schemas; include proper identifiers (EAN-13/EAN-18). Track consumption, deliveries, metering, deviations.
Financial security
Not specifically checked by CEPS, but if BSP becomes an unreliable payer under Income Tax Act, must inform CEPS.
Must provide adequate financial security to Market Operator; must correctly complete financial security form and report changes within 3 business days. Provide proof of security within 10 days of agreement.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must be registered with Energinet as a BSP. Can deliver FFR, FCR and FCR-D.
Must be registered with Energinet as a BRP and sign a BRP Agreement. Registration follows Energinet Market Regulation C1.
Balance responsibility
Provides balancing energy and capacity when activated. Secures physical delivery; imbalances are financially attributed to the BRP of the metering point.
Assumes legal and financial responsibility for all imbalances between scheduled and actual consumption/production in portfolio. Imbalance volumes settled under Market Regulation C2.
Contracts / agreements
Must sign a Balancing Service Agreement (C1). Tender conditions determine roles, responsibilities and sanctions for non-delivery.
Must sign the Balancing Responsibility Agreement (C1) with Energinet covering schedule submission, imbalance settlement, guarantees, and communication obligations.
Application content
Company legal documents (CVR-number), VAT registration, EIC code, contact and IT data, proof of financial capacity and settlement account with eSett.
Company legal documents (CVR-number), VAT registration, EIC code, contact and IT data, proof of financial capacity and settlement account with eSett.
Technical requirements
Assets must satisfy requirements in Energinet's prequalification document for units and aggregated portfolios.
Must be capable of sending schedules and updates via Energinet's EDI or XML interface; maintain validated metering data (15-min ISP). Technical requirements in C1 Appendix 2.
Financial security
Covered by Energinet's credit insurance or must provide a financial guarantee per Market Regulation C1, Section 5. Covers potential payments for non-delivery.
Covered by Energinet's credit insurance or must provide a bank guarantee or credit security per C1, Section 5. Covers potential imbalance charges and market exposure.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must have balance provider status or be linked to a BRP; enter into a balancing agreement with Elering; data-warehouse (Estfeed Datahub) usage agreement for aggregators; pass pre-qualification and interface with Elering's Balance Management Software.
Entering into a balance agreement with Elering — submit signed agreement, meet bank-guarantee requirements, have appropriate metering/data-exchange readiness.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing services when activated. Activations attributed to BRP of the delivery points. BSP must have link to BRP or be BRP.
Legally and financially responsible for ensuring that for its portfolio, the amount of electricity purchased/sold equals the amount supplied/taken from the grid during each trading period.
Contracts / agreements
Signs a balancing agreement with Elering for each product (FCR, aFRR, mFRR) and must pass pre-qualification.
Signs a balance agreement with Elering, under terms approved by the Estonian Competition Authority. Defines data exchange, bank guarantees, schedule submission.
Application content
Technical dossier of units, pre-qualification test results, telemetry/data exchange readiness, aggregator chain if applicable. Must pass product-specific prequalification.
Legal entity details, contact persons, data-exchange test capability. Balance schedule must be balanced; data-exchange tests minimum two weeks; bank guarantee submitted.
Technical requirements
Product-specific — for mFRR the Baltic standard product specification (minimum bid size 1 MW, ramping within 15 min, activation de-ramping within 15 min) per Baltic TSOs annex.
Must submit balanced schedules in format acceptable to Elering's system (via XML API); must have validated metering/data reporting; must maintain portfolio in balance.
Financial security
May be required to meet financial reliability criteria; contractual penalties for non-performance.
Must provide a bank guarantee to Elering (fixed amount of €31,995 mentioned in balance agreement terms) before agreement enters into force.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must be approved/registered with Fingrid and meet technical prequalification and market rules for the product. Must also register with eSett for settlement and sign balancing market contracts.
Must sign a Balance Agreement with Fingrid (via eSett processes). BRP onboarding requires company registration documents, contact and billing info, acceptance of balance responsibility rules. Must be registered in eSett.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing energy to TSO. BSP delivery data sent to eSett with BRP identification; activations financially reconciled against BRP's imbalance. BSPs must be linked to a BRP.
Plans and controls energy deliveries for its portfolio; legally responsible for imbalances (hourly imbalance responsibility monitored in cooperation with Fingrid and eSett).
Contracts / agreements
Must conclude required BSP/agreement(s) with Fingrid and a Balancing Service Settlement Agreement with eSett; also needs a contractual link with the BRP of the resources offered.
Signs a BRP/balance agreement with Fingrid and an Imbalance Settlement Agreement with eSett.
Application content
Company/legal documents plus detailed technical data for each unit (capability, telemetry, metering, activation interface), plus evidence of prequalification and BSP–BRP commercial agreement.
Company registration, contact and billing, bank/settlement-bank setup for eSett, signatory IDs, and any documents Fingrid requires to grant BRP status.
Technical requirements
Product-specific prequalification tests (response performance, control and telemetry), registration in TSO systems and EDIEL/GSL/GLN codes; compliance with Nordic balancing model implementation guides.
Metering, telemetry, message exchange readiness (Nordic MMS/EDIEL/eSett interfaces), ability to submit schedules and required operational reports.
Financial security
BSPs' remuneration/payment flow runs through BRP/TSO/eSett settlement chain; may be required to provide guarantees depending on contract and product.
Must provide collateral/guarantees or use approved settlement-bank arrangements to cover imbalance exposure per Fingrid/eSett rules.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must prequalify with RTE under Market Rules (Chapter 4) and sign the participation agreement. Prequalification includes technical dossier, certification of capacities and connection to RTE telecontrol.
Must sign an agreement with RTE as a Responsable d'équilibre and be registered to operate a balance perimeter.
Balance responsibility
Provides reserve capacity and balancing energy when activated. Activations attributed to BRP of the delivery points; financial settlement falls within BRP imbalance accounting.
Legally and financially responsible for imbalances between scheduled programs and measured injections/withdrawals. Settled at Prix de règlement des écarts (PRE).
Contracts / agreements
Signs participation agreement (model annexes in Chapter 4) and specific framework/auction contract for procured reserve. Contracts specify prequalification tests, telemetry, availability windows and penalties.
Signs RTE participation/attachment agreement (annex to Chapter 3 of Market Rules) and must respect contractual obligations with RTE and DSOs for points under their perimeter.
Application content
Technical dossier (unit characteristics, min/max MW, ramp rates, response profile), annex forms from Chapter 4, evidence of telemetry/telecontrol access, results of certification tests.
Company/legal documents, nominated perimeter details, metering points, forecast tools, and acceptance of settlement terms.
Technical requirements
FCR, aFRR and mFRR each have defined response times, accuracy, ramp rates, minimum bid size and telemetry obligations. Prequalification tests verify response profile and remote control capability.
Must provide validated metering and telemetry, submit schedules in required formats/timeslots, support intraday program revisions. Must interface with RTE systems.
Financial security
May be subject to performance penalties; contractual clauses may require financial guarantees. Compensation handled through RTE settlement processes.
Must settle imbalance charges and are exposed to PRE settlement; RTE/CRE frameworks impose financial/commercial terms.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must successfully pass prequalification with the reserve connecting TSO per Article 159 of the SO Regulation and Article 25 of EB Regulation. Includes complete application through PQ portal, successful technical evaluation, communication and activation tests.
Must be registered as a BRP at BDEW and conclude a balancing group contract (Standard-Bilanzkreisvertrag) with the TSO.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing service when activated. Not directly responsible for imbalance settlement; imbalance attributed to the relevant BRP. Must have a contractual link with a BRP.
Legally responsible for deviations between submitted schedules and actual physical delivery or consumption. Must stay balanced in each ISP.
Contracts / agreements
Signs prequalification agreement / product-specific contract with TSO; deliverance concept; must comply with activation, measurement, and IT/telemetry obligations.
Concludes a balancing group contract with the relevant TSO.
Application content
CU/RPU/RPG identification (technology, control band, connection point), technical concept (baselining, SoC management), communication concept (BSP–TSO data exchange), pool concept, fundamental BSP information.
Standard-Bilanzkreisvertrag. BRP must fill in balancing groups, sub balancing group allocations, energy volumes, and contact data.
Technical requirements
Product-specific tests with TSO control centre — e.g. LTT and BIT tests for response time, ramping, monitoring and controllability, data granularity. BSP can pool small units within one control area.
Must comply with MaBiS; rules for secure exchange in schedule process; rules for nomination of schedules in Germany.
Financial security
No financial risk for TSO because BSPs are paid after provision and activation. Cost of imbalance during prequalification often lies with BRP(s).
BRP is liable for imbalance settlement and must satisfy financial guarantees if necessary.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must complete ADMIE's prequalification for each balancing product, pass control and operational tests, and sign relevant participation documents. Aggregation allowed under the Rulebook.
Must be registered as a BRP in ADMIE's registry and accept obligations of the Balancing Market Rulebook.
Balance responsibility
Provides contracted reserve or balancing energy when activated. Activations financially attributed to BRP of affected delivery points.
Legally and financially responsible for deviations between submitted program and actual metered injections/withdrawals per ISP. BRPs cannot avoid settlement obligations.
Contracts / agreements
Sign prequalification/participation documents; if awarded capacity, contractual terms specify availability obligations, activation procedures, measurement requirements and penalties.
Enter into BRP registration/agreement and settlement arrangements required by ADMIE; terms defined in Balancing Market Rulebook.
Application content
Technical dossier for each unit (capacity, ramp, response profile), telemetry/SCADA interface info, results from operational/control tests, documentation proving ability to meet activation and reporting obligations.
Company/legal documents, proof of financial capacity, nominated metering/delivery points, IT/communications readiness for program submission, acceptance of imbalance settlement procedures.
Technical requirements
Product-specific technical specs (response time, minimum delivery, ramp rate, accuracy), real-time telemetry/remote control where required, on-site/remote operational tests.
Must be able to submit schedules and revisions, provide validated metering data, and exchange required data format/messages with ADMIE for settlement.
Financial security
Remunerated for capacity (if contracted) and activated energy. May be subject to performance penalties; failure to deliver leads to contractual remedies.
Financially liable for imbalance settlement; must maintain financial arrangements necessary to cover imbalance exposure as per ADMIE settlement processes.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Pass signal test and prequalification with MAVIR; participate in qualification process (Minősítési Eljárás); submit tender documentation and sign contract with MAVIR. Must hold appropriate licenses issued by MEKH or be registered as aggregator.
Must join or form a balance circle; establish agreement directly with MAVIR; hold appropriate trading or generation licenses from MEKH; provide satisfactory financial security; sign a Balance Group Agreement with MAVIR.
Balance responsibility
Legally responsible for submitting bids to balancing capacity and energy markets, physical delivery, and settlement.
Legally responsible for deviations between submitted schedules and actual physical delivery or consumption.
Contracts / agreements
1. Prequalification Agreement (Akkreditációs megállapodás) with MAVIR. 2. Contract for providing Balancing Capacity (Keretszerződés) with MAVIR.
1. Balance Group Agreement (Mérlegkör Szerződés) with MAVIR. 2. Grid Access and Metering Contracts with local DSOs and/or MAVIR.
Application content
Official identification, company registration data, technical and administrative expertise, financial guarantee, settlement and data communication setup.
Official identification (valid EID), company registration data, technical and administrative expertise, financial guarantee, balance circle agreement, settlement and data communication setup.
Technical requirements
Must fulfil technical expectations based on prequalification process; able to submit bids in required data format, inspect settlement reports and register in TSO systems.
Must be able to submit schedules in required data format and register in TSO systems.
Financial security
BSP is liable for penalty settlement and must satisfy financial guarantees.
BRP is liable for imbalance settlement and must satisfy financial guarantees if necessary.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must be registered and prequalified before offering Balancing Energy in the SEM. Must comply with Trading and Settlement Code (TSC) and with the Grid Code administered by EirGrid/SONI.
Approval based on market registration and financial compliance. Must register as a Party under TSC with SEMO, demonstrate financial capability and credit cover, comply with market governance, and post required collateral.
Balance responsibility
All BSPs in the SEM have means to be a balance responsible party, either directly, through an intermediary, or through contractual arrangements.
All BSPs in the SEM have means to be a balance responsible party, either directly, through an intermediary, or through contractual arrangements.
Contracts / agreements
Must execute an accession deed to the TSC framework agreement binding them to all relevant code rules and market obligations.
Must execute an accession deed to the TSC framework agreement binding them to all relevant code rules and market obligations.
Application content
For Unit registration — a completed application pack submitted to SEMO per the B10 Balancing Market Unit Registration Guide.
For Party registration — a Party application form and supporting documentation submitted to SEMO per B00 and balancing market registration pack.
Technical requirements
Assets must satisfy the Grid Code requirements to be eligible for balancing related services.
Assets must satisfy Grid Code requirements.
Financial security
Section G.9 to G.15 and Agreed Procedure 9 of the TSC sets out credit cover requirements. SEMO monitors exposure continuously and can demand additional collateral.
Section G.9 to G.15 and Agreed Procedure 9 sets out credit cover requirements. Each participant must maintain sufficient credit cover to meet potential financial exposures.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must meet Terna's prequalification and technical requirements set out in the Grid Code; resources must be registered and, where relevant, pass prequalification/testing for provision of reserve/mFRR/other balancing products.
Parties that enter dispatching contracts assume BRP status. BRPs must sign the Balance Agreement/Dispatching Contract under Terna's Grid Code.
Balance responsibility
Party with contract with Terna for supplying ancillary services; physically provides service; BSP activations settled against relevant BRP (commercial link required).
Signs the dispatching/balance contract with Terna and is responsible for balancing its portfolio versus the program. BRPs also hold forward accounts with GME for settlement.
Contracts / agreements
Signs Terna dispatching/balance-responsibility contract and a commercial BSP–BRP agreement to allocate payments and imbalance effects.
Signs a BSP/ancillary-services contract with Terna and participates in GME settlement platforms.
Application content
Company/legal docs plus detailed technical descriptions of plants, prequalification evidence for the specific ancillary product, and BSP–BRP contractual allocation.
Company registration, legal signatories, evidence of financial capacity, registration for market access at GME (forms for forward accounts/PCE).
Technical requirements
Must pass Terna prequalification tests for the ancillary service (response, ramping, metering), have telemetry and remote-control capabilities if required, and be registered in Terna/GME systems.
Comply with Grid Code for metering, telemetry, ability to provide schedules, and IT/system interfaces used for nominations and program submission to Terna.
Financial security
May need commercial guarantees toward Terna or rely on BRP to cover settlement exposure; depends on contract and market product.
Must maintain financial arrangements and guarantees per GME market rules and may be required to provide collateral to Terna/GME.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must satisfy conditions to provide balancing services per Baltic balancing market rules; have a contract with TSO; meet technical prequalification; be accepted as a provider of balancing capacity/energy.
Must sign a Balancing/Imbalance Agreement with the TSO (AST) and be registered as a BRP under national and Baltic rules.
Balance responsibility
Physically delivers reserve or balancing energy when activated. Financial settlement attributed to BRP of the delivery points. BSP must maintain operational link to BRP.
Financially and operationally responsible for maintaining balance of its portfolio (injections vs withdrawals) in each ISP. Imbalance volumes and tariffs apply.
Contracts / agreements
Signs Balancing Service Agreement with TSO (AST) or via Baltic procurement platform for each balancing product (aFRR, mFRR), defining capacity, activation, measurement and penalty terms.
Enters into a Balance Agreement/Settlement Agreement with AST defining obligations for scheduling, measurement, settlement, metering, data exchange.
Application content
Unit technical data (capacity, ramp rate, response time), telemetry/SCADA readiness, contract/BRP link proof, pre-qualification test results, product-specific compliance.
Must comply with product-specific technical specs — minimum bid size, ramp rates, activation times, telemetry and remote control capabilities. Baltic procurement rules outline these requirements.
Must have validated metering/telemetry for delivery points, capability to submit schedules/forecasts, and interface with TSO's data systems.
Financial security
May need to provide proof of financial capability; may face penalties or reduced remuneration for non-performance.
Subject to imbalance settlement invoicing; must maintain financial arrangements. Imbalance costs passed to BRP under Latvian settlement methodology and Baltic market rules.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must be prequalified and contract with Litgrid for providing balancing services (capacity or energy). T&C for BSPs approved by national regulator in 2019.
Must conclude a contract on trade in imbalance energy with Litgrid and abide by Balancing Service Contract and Imbalance Settlement rules.
Balance responsibility
Physically delivers balancing energy or capacity; resulting imbalance effects attributed to BRP. BSPs need a contractual link with a BRP.
Financially responsible for deviations between its scheduled and factual consumption/production portfolio.
Contracts / agreements
Signs a Balancing Service Contract (or Framework Agreement) with TSO setting out capacity/energy obligations, activation modalities, and performance requirements.
Signs an imbalance sale-purchase contract with the TSO (Litgrid) as part of the trade in imbalance energy service.
Application content
Technical documentation of assets, pre-qualification test protocols, communications/telemetry interface readiness, and contract submission.
Legal entity registration/contract, ability to hold a balancing perimeter, and arrangement of settlement account with Litgrid for imbalance settlement.
Technical requirements
Must meet product-specific requirements — minimum bid size (1 MW minimum for Baltic harmonised market).
Must submit schedules for consumption and production, and have validated metering/data reporting interfaces with Litgrid.
Financial security
May face penalties for non-performance; standard terms approved by regulator define obligations.
Required to provide financial security as part of BRP Agreement with Litgrid. BRP responsible for imbalance settlement and must cover charges invoiced by TSO.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Apply to Creos via confirmation declaration form. After DSO validation, Creos assesses network support. If approved, submit prequalification request to Amprion (German standard requirements). Any change to technical configuration requires new request to Creos.
Status begins with definition of EIC code in balancing agreement with Creos. Must declare maximum values of energy and power for each balancing perimeter. Must provide financial security to put balancing perimeter into operation.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing service when activated. Each technical unit must belong to a BSP's balance perimeter. Imbalance attributed to the relevant BRP.
All electrical energy exchange must be assigned to a balancing perimeter managed by a BRP. BRP reports generation and load forecasts to Balance Coordinator and bears financial responsibility for imbalances.
Contracts / agreements
Signs prequalification agreement/product-specific framework agreement with Amprion; signs Balance Group Agreement with Creos per Luxembourg BRP regulations.
Must hold a valid balancing agreement with Balance Coordinator (Creos) under which BRP accepts terms and conditions and fulfils all obligations.
Application content
Legal entity details, proof of capacity (financial/technical), nomination of balancing group(s), IT/scheduling capabilities, unit characteristics, response/ramp, deliverance concept, telemetry, control system test, operating test.
Legal entity details, proof of capacity (financial/technical), scheduling of balancing group(s), IT/scheduling capabilities.
Technical requirements
Product-specific tests — FCR requires very fast activation; aFRR/mFRR require ramp rates, minimum delivery, response times; telemetry, control system connectivity.
Metering/telemetry of actual vs scheduled output; ability to exchange schedules in day-ahead, intraday and day-after; adherence to performance standards; IT/data/messaging interfaces.
Financial security
BSPs evaluated for sufficient creditworthiness. Amprion may request further guarantees.
Financial security can be — unconditional irrevocable bank guarantee; cash deposit; demonstration of creditworthiness through acceptable credit rating; or valid unconditional irrevocable parental guarantee from parent company with acceptable credit rating.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must have own GLN; coordinate with a BRP for imbalance settlement; may be required to register with eSett. Must enter BSP agreement with Statnett.
Must have own GLN. Foreign companies must register as a Norwegian-registered foreign company (NUF). Must enter a balance agreement with Statnett; eSett administers the conclusion.
Balance responsibility
Not specifically detailed — coordinates with BRP for settlement.
BRP is legally responsible for imbalances and must settle via eSett. Statnett monitors/charges fees and can require collateral.
Contracts / agreements
Must enter into a BSP agreement with Statnett and a settlement agreement for balancing services with eSett.
Must sign a Balance Agreement with Statnett and register with eSett for Nordic settlement.
Application content
Must hold a valid trading license from RME. BSP must own the regulated object itself or have entered into a disposal agreement.
Obtain a trading license from NVE. BRPs must provide company registration docs, contact details, and meet Statnett's requirements. Register as BRP in the Ediel register.
Technical requirements
Must obtain Statnett prequalification for the product (FCR, mFRR, etc.); register for message exchange (EDIEL/Fifty/MMS); sign required BSP agreements.
Register an approved IT system in the Ediel register or conduct a system test. Certify for Nordic Balance Settlement (eSett) in the Ediel register.
Financial security
Not specifically detailed beyond coordination with BRP.
BRP is a market participant financially responsible for its own and other imbalances.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must fulfil technical requirements and have signed contracts.
Must fulfil technical requirements, have signed contracts, and pass creditworthiness check.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing services but is not directly responsible for imbalances. Responsibility assigned to relevant BRP.
Must keep portfolio in balance and is financially accountable for deviations between submitted schedule/forecast and actual production or consumption.
Contracts / agreements
Must enter into a BSP agreement with TenneT.
Must enter into a BRP agreement with TenneT.
Application content
2 steps: 1. Apply for becoming a BSP and for which product (administrative). 2. Apply for specific product, handing over required documentation/passed tests.
2 steps: 1. Apply for becoming a BRP and for which product (administrative). 2. Handing over required documentation/passed tests.
Technical requirements
Must have EAN-13 registration; obtain TenneT prequalification for the product (FCR, aFRR, mFRR) with defined response times, accuracy, ramp rates, minimum bid size, telemetry obligation; pass IT test for all applicable messaging; for FCR additionally IT Regelleistung qualification.
Must have EAN-13 registration; pass TenneT IT test for all applicable messaging; pass PQ/IT test at NEMOs. BRP with assets — additionally pass EDSN IT test for other applicable messaging.
Financial security
Not specifically required from BSP.
BRP is financially responsible for its own imbalances. Creditworthiness check at the bank must be handed over.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must be owner of resource or have formal right to use it; pass qualification process; sign transmission agreement with TSO; sign distribution agreement with relevant DSO if applicable; hold appropriate licences.
Must sign transmission agreement with TSO or MNA Operational Agreement (for NEMO/CCP NEMO); sign distribution agreement with relevant DSO if applicable; hold appropriate licences.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing services but is not directly responsible for imbalances. Responsibility assigned to relevant BRP.
Responsible for imbalances and settle with TSO. BRP can transfer balancing of its resource to another BRP.
Contracts / agreements
Must sign a transmission agreement with TSO and a distribution agreement with relevant DSO if applicable.
Must sign a transmission agreement with TSO or MNA Operational Agreement and a distribution agreement with relevant DSO if applicable.
Application content
Application for transmission agreement containing contact and registration details, contractor's BRP function implementation, BSP function implementation and performance of market operator duties. Plus proof of financial capacity.
Application for transmission agreement containing contact and registration details, contractor's BRP function implementation, performance of market operator duties. Plus proof of financial capacity.
Technical requirements
Must provide telemetry and remote control capability. Declare technical specs for each resource and product; checked, tested and changed if necessary during qualification process. Communication tests also required.
Must provide data exchange systems with TSO. Schedules and forecasts submitted by market operator authorised by the BRP.
Financial security
Must provide proof of financial capacity. Financial security not mandatory if BSP has rating of BBB- or higher. If financial security drops below minimum, TSO suspends provision of services.
Financial security not mandatory if BRP has rating of BBB- or higher. If financial security drops below minimum, TSO suspends provision of services. Financial penalties may occur for breaches.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must sign a contract with REN and pass prequalification tests, including testing connection to REN's control system. Applies under MPGGS.
Must be recognised as a BRP and cannot delegate balance responsibility to another BRP. Must register as a market agent under MPGGS.
Balance responsibility
Delivers balancing energy or reserves; any deviation due to its activation is attributed to the relevant BRP for settlement. Penalties applied for non-compliance.
Financially accountable for deviations between submitted schedule/forecast and actual production or consumption. REN/ERSE settle imbalances under rules in MPGGS.
Contracts / agreements
Must sign a contract/accept tender terms with REN for each balancing service (e.g. mFRR) covering service delivery, activation, performance, telemetry, and penalties.
Must adhere to rules in MPGGS including scheduling, deviation resolution, technical/settlement procedures. BRP enters into agreements or registration with REN.
Application content
Technical specification of resources (capacity, ramp, response time, telemetry), proof of connection to REN systems, reliability/performance history/test results, ability to respond to activations, compliance with minimum thresholds.
Legal entity registration, proof of financial capacity, forecast and scheduling capability, metering and telemetry arrangements, and compliance with ERC/REN market agent requirements under MPGGS.
Technical requirements
Must comply with MPGGS technical specs for mFRR — minimum capacity for bids, standardised European mFRR product definitions (response time, activation, ramping), telemetry and control/dispatch capability. Must connect to European platforms (e.g. MARI) when required.
Must have real-time or near-real-time measurement systems, certified metering infrastructure, ability to forecast and schedule, ability to report deviations; comply with new 15-minute market time unit per MPGGS revisions.
Financial security
Must meet reliability and performance obligations; penalties or suspension for failure. Financial guarantees or performance securities may be required in tender documentation.
Liable for imbalance settlement; must have financial terms/guarantees per rules in MPGGS and ROR/RRC. Penalties or sanctions under ERSE oversight for BRP failures.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must complete prequalification with Transelectrica for each balancing product and sign relevant T&C. T&C for BSPs approved by ANRE, effective 1 June 2024.
Must be registered with Transelectrica as a party assuming balancing responsibility under Balancing Market Rulebook and relevant orders (e.g. Order No. 213/2020 for BRPs).
Balance responsibility
Delivers contracted balancing service (capacity or energy). Imbalance settlement of delivery points attributed to BRP responsible for those points.
Financially responsible for deviations between submitted schedule/program and actual measured production/consumption. Transelectrica calculates and invoices BRPs monthly.
Contracts / agreements
Signs a service contract with Transelectrica for delivery of balancing capacity/energy, including terms for activation, performance and penalties.
Signs a registration/agreement with Transelectrica and accepts the balancing responsibility contract as defined by ANRE orders and Transelectrica rulebook.
Application content
Technical dossier for each resource (capacity, ramp rates, response times), telemetry/SCADA interfacing details, communication links with TSO, proof of deliverability, prequalification test results.
Legal entity documentation, ability to nominate or hold a balancing portfolio, metering/data readiness, opening of a settlement bank account for imbalance payments (required per Art. 208–211).
Technical requirements
Must meet specific technical product requirements (response time, ramp rate, minimum size, availability), connect telemetry/remote control as required, and participate in product-specific tests.
Must have validated metering at connection points, data exchange systems with TSO, capability to submit schedules and updates; market uses 15-minute settlement intervals as of Feb 2021.
Financial security
May be required to demonstrate financial reliability; contractual penalties for non-delivery.
Must open a dedicated settlement bank account with Transelectrica (Art. 208–211). Must ensure solvency for amounts due for imbalances.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must obtain REE authorization (habilitación) for each balancing product per CNMC Resolution (11 Dec 2019, amended 2024). Requires technical dossier, structural data, and successful prequalification tests. Units must have telemetry links and remote-control links with REE's control systems. Minimum 1 MW capacity required.
Must register with REE as a sujeto de liquidación, submit legal and financial documentation, sign a balance-responsibility contract under the Grid Code. Must demonstrate financial solvency, maintain settlement accounts with OMIE and REE, and ensure validated metering and telemetry.
Balance responsibility
Licensed by REE to provide balancing services; technically responsible for delivering requested balancing actions. Activations financially settled through relevant BRP. BSPs must maintain commercial and operational link with one or more BRPs.
Accountable for maintaining a balanced portfolio of generation, consumption, and trade programs. Must submit and update schedules per REE and OMIE rules; subject to imbalance settlement under REE's Condiciones relativas al balance.
Contracts / agreements
Licensing by REE as BSP comprises prequalification, activation, and performance terms for ancillary products. BSPs must have a commercial BSP–BRP agreement to allocate remuneration and imbalance effects.
Nomination as BRP with REE under Condiciones relativas al balance (CNMC). Must register as sujeto de liquidación, open settlement accounts with REE and OMIE, and provide financial guarantees.
Application content
Technical documentation for each resource — prequalification test results, telemetry and communication details, evidence of control capability. Also includes BSP–BRP commercial link and allocation of delivery points.
Company registration documents, legal representation forms, and financial evidence (creditworthiness, guarantees) to REE and OMIE. Registration as sujeto de liquidación, market access forms for OMIE, compliance declarations.
Technical requirements
Must pass REE prequalification tests for the specific balancing product (response speed, ramping, min/max MW); have telemetry and remote-control capabilities where required; be registered in REE and OMIE systems.
Must comply with REE's Grid Code and Operating Procedures (PO 3.1); validated metering and telemetry; capable of submitting and updating schedules; reliable IT/system interfaces for communication with REE.
Financial security
Must provide financial guarantee towards REE depending on contract, or rely on associated BRP to cover settlement exposure.
Must provide financial guarantees or collateral to cover potential imbalance exposure. Settlement accounts must be maintained with sufficient funds.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must fulfil all obligations from SEPS Operational Handbook and T&C; go through prequalification process with SEPS. Must hold a license to conduct business in the energy sector (issued by ÚRSO) and approval from relevant DSO.
Must hold a license to conduct business in the energy sector. Foreign parties must apply for a license to supply electricity from ÚRSO and provide officially translated documentation.
Balance responsibility
Must have its own responsibility for imbalance or delegate the responsibility to a BRP. This must be proven upon signing the framework agreement.
Legally responsible for deviations between submitted schedules and actual physical delivery or consumption.
Contracts / agreements
Must submit application to conclude a framework agreement on balancing services provision with SEPS. Must prove validity of agreement on settlement of balancing energy with OKTE.
Must conclude an Agreement on settlement of imbalances. If willing to participate in short-term cross-border market, must sign Agreement on Access and Conditions for Participation in Organized Short-Term cross-border Electricity Market with OKTE.
Application content
Application to SEPS containing type/technology of units, detailed breakdown of equipment, connection diagram, electrical diagram, description of regulation logic, simulation model. For each unit — installed capacity, range of FCR/FRR, maximum rate of change, capacity limitation, P-Q diagram.
Notarized documents — extract from Commercial Register and license. Application must contain consent for Business-to-Business SEPA direct debit and Bank guarantee.
Technical requirements
Must pass: telecommunications test, data exchange test, verification of operation, technical measurement, technical test, switching communication lines, functionality of PSS device. Tests are product specific.
Must be able to submit schedules, provide validated metering data, and exchange required data with OKTE for settlement.
Financial security
Must provide financial security for contracts awarded in tenders for balancing capacity (amount depends on contracted capacity and product type). Penalties covered by security; must maintain specified value of security.
Deposit of financial security is a condition for conclusion of Agreement on settlement of imbalances. Amount specified in OKTE Operational handbook.
Note: Slovenia data is AI-generated using ChatGPT. No explicit verification has been done by ELES. ELES is not responsible for T&C for BRPs according to Slovenian law.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Approval granted after successful verification of technical capability and fulfilment of legal and formal requirements defined by ELES. Must obtain both a technical capability certificate and a qualification certificate.
Balancing group established based on a balancing agreement with market operator and admission into the balancing scheme. Must submit required registration, legal, and compliance documentation.
Balance responsibility
Responsible for providing balancing energy and/or capacity per ELES requirements. Must ensure continuous availability and proper activation performance of qualified technical units.
Responsible for balancing settlement, submission of schedules and contracts, financial settlement of imbalances, compliance with market rules for entire balancing group. Also manages imbalance risks for all hierarchically lower members.
Contracts / agreements
Participation requires compliance with Rules and Conditions for BSPs and auction rules approved by the Energy Agency.
Participation requires a balancing agreement with market operator and, where applicable, imbalance settlement agreements with subordinate members.
Application content
Must submit complete application for recognition of technical capability, including all required technical and organisational information. ELES reviews and informs BSP about testing procedure.
Must submit request for inclusion in balancing scheme with supporting documents — company registration data, VAT registration, criminal record certificates where applicable.
Technical requirements
Balancing services may be provided by qualified generation units, demand facilities, or energy storage units connected within the Slovenian LFC area. Must satisfy technical, organisational, communication, and activation performance requirements defined by ELES.
Must ensure regular submission of operational schedules, contract nominations, and data exchange with market operator and relevant system operators.
Financial security
Qualified BSPs are financially responsible for delivery and settlement of balancing capacity and energy services.
Must provide and maintain adequate financial collateral as requested by market operator to secure imbalance settlement obligations.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Certificate of registration from Swedish Companies Registration Office or equivalent (not older than 2 months). Company info, contact/billing/banking details. Documentation showing applicant meets requirements for electronic communication with SVK and settlement. Proof that BSP disposes of units/groups approved in prequalification.
Registration certificate from Swedish Companies Registration Office or equivalent (not older than 2 months). Company info, contact/billing/banking details. Documentation showing applicant meets requirements for electronic communication with SVK and settlement. Any cash collateral held at a bank approved for use in Imbalance Settlement.
Balance responsibility
BSP is the actor role responsible for delivering ancillary services to Svenska kraftnät. Responsible for subcontractors.
BRP shall continuously strive to plan and achieve balance (within each 15 min) between supply and consumption of electricity per electricity area.
Contracts / agreements
BSP–SVK agreement 5937 version 2. Electronic communication agreement by SVK. Settlement Agreement with eSett Oy for balance settlement. Must have a Balance Responsibility Agreement with a BRP or be a BRP.
BRP–SVK Agreement 5938-2. Electronic communication agreement by SVK. Settlement Agreement with eSett Oy for balance settlement.
Application content
Must include company info, contact details, billing/bank info, certificate of registration from Bolagsverket (or equivalent EU authority, not older than 2 months).
Must include company info, contact details, billing/bank info, certificate of registration from Bolagsverket (or equivalent EU authority, not older than 2 months).
Technical requirements
Reference to EU prequalification standards. Prequalification approval for relevant ancillary service (FCR, aFRR, mFRR). Must be able to measure, log and report data per specified requirements; obligation to report when reserves are not available.
Must continuously update and send plans from 16:00 day before delivery up to 45 minutes prior. In real time observe system frequency. If frequency outside 49.92–50.08 Hz, BRP may not carry out ramping restrictions that would increase frequency deviation.
Financial security
Security value must match the company's net debt to Svenska kraftnät, covering both unpaid and unbilled transactions.
BRP must comply with decisions made by eSett Oy regarding securities. Minimum security amount for new BRP — €40,000, deposited before any trading may take place.
Requirement area
BSP — Balancing Service Provider
BRP — Balance Responsible Party
Approval criteria
Must successfully prequalify with Swissgrid for FCR, aFRR and/or mFRR. Process includes registration of BSP and assets, establishing and testing data exchanges, and in some cases an activation test.
Must provide evidence regarding status as legal persons including extracts from relevant commercial register. Must provide company info, contact/billing/banking details, pay a registration fee, provide collateral, and pass an acceptance test with Swissgrid's test scheduling system.
Balance responsibility
Activated aFRR and mFRR volumes attributed to BRP of the unit used to provide the service. Independent aggregation possible.
Financially accountable for deviations between submitted schedule/forecast and actual production or consumption.
Contracts / agreements
After passing prequalification, BSPs sign product-specific contracts with a set of standard appendices.
BRP contract and its appendices are provided on the Swissgrid website.
Application content
Company information including contact details, banking and billing information, technical documentation of the units, and control concepts. Power of attorney from unit owner required for independent aggregation.
Registration form, balance group contract, evidence of status as legal person, copy of signatory's personal identity card, certification of signatory's place of residence, collateral, SEPA direct debit mandate.
Technical requirements
Activation tests for FCR and aFRR, product-specific ramp rates, minimum delivery and response times; requirements for schedules and electronic data exchange.
Must interface with Swissgrid's customer portal, scheduling and settlement systems, as well as ECP.
Financial security
No financial security required, though BSP is subjected to financial penalty if they fail to keep awarded reserves available.
Financial security depends on open position granted to BRP, defined in Appendix 1 to BRP contract. BRP also subjected to a KYC test.
