Montenegrin Power Exchange – MEPX postpones launch amid energy crisis

The launch of the day-ahead market at the Montenegrin Power Exchange – MEPX was delayed until April, when the balance between supply and demand is expected to become more favorable. Earlier, the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) postponed its go-live date.

BELEN (Berza električne energije), the operator of the Montenegrin Power Exchange or MEPX, has launched system testing and is inviting potential members to join, Chief Operating Officer Dejan Drašković told Balkan Green Energy News.

The company was supposed to launch trading, with the introduction of the day-ahead market, by the end of the year. However, it opted to delay it, citing the energy crisis, among other factors.

April is the most suitable month for the start of trading due to low demand and a large output expected from hydropower plants

“After consultations with the main market maker, a decision was made that the go-live date will be in April given that it is traditionally the month when household energy demand is substantially lower, while a significantly large flow is expected from rainfall and the snow melting, thus a larger energy volume is expected that could be marketed on our exchange,” Drašković explained.

The MEPX COO revealed that no further delay is expected. The implementation with the European Power Exchange – EPEX SPOT is about to be completed in line with the plan and the entire clearing system has already been implemented in cooperation with BSP SouthPool, Drašković pointed out.

The clearing system, implemented in cooperation with BSP SouthPool, is already in place

Similarly, trading at the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) was supposed to begin on November 23 with the launch of the day-ahead market, but the company only held a training session with market participants. The aim is for them to understand how the process works and to ensure a secure start, according to the statement.