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ESO sets out timetable for upcoming capacity auctions

The electricity system operator (ESO) at National Grid has published a provisional timetable for the capacity market auctions due to take place over the next year.

They include the replacements for the two auctions that were cancelled in November after a landmark court ruling brought the capacity market to a standstill.

The year-ahead (T-1) auction for delivery in 2019/20 that was otherwise scheduled for January will instead take place over 11/12 June.

The four-year-ahead (T-4) auction for delivery starting in 2022/23 that was due to follow in February has been replaced with a three-year-ahead (T-3) auction that will be held on 30/31 January 2020.

The T-1 auction for delivery in 2020/21 is scheduled for a week later on 6/7 February.

And the T-4 auction for delivery in 2023/24 will be held another month later on 5/6 March.

The timetable is dependent on the capacity market receiving reapproval from the European Commission under state aid rules. The commission opened an in-depth investigation into the scheme in February but is not expected to make decision until the autumn.

The government is separately seeking one-off approval for the replacement T-1 auction to allow it to happen before then. Earlier this month, business and energy secretary lowered the procurement target for the auction from 4.6GW to 2.7GW.