RTE launches first daily mFRR upward balancing-capacity auction under new RR-RC V6 rules

RTE opened on 17 November 2026 its first daily tender (appel d'offres journalier) for contracting new mFRR upward balancing reserve capacity (product 'SPE Hausse'), mirroring the mFRR downward product already launched on 6 May 2026. The product has hourly contractual blocks, a 24h contractual period, DMO ≤13 min, DOmin ≤15 min and DNA of 30 min. This follows CRE's approval (deliberation of 5 March 2026) of RTE's revised RR-RC V6 market rules, which entered into force on 1 April 2026 after a 2024-2026 consultation process, and implements the deferred 'Date RT18' provision ending periodic-only mFRR upward procurement in favor of daily auctions.

This operationalizes EU short-term balancing procurement requirements (EBGL Article 32.2 and Regulation 2019/943 Article 6(9)) by moving French mFRR upward capacity contracting from periodic (multi-day/annual) auctions toward daily, closer-to-real-time tenders. It increases the frequency and granularity of balancing capacity price formation, potentially improving cost efficiency and opening participation to more flexible, shorter-duration assets, while reducing reliance on long-term reserved capacity.

The shift from periodic to daily mFRR upward capacity auctions is a structural balancing-market reform driven by EU harmonization rules favoring short-term procurement to maximize economic efficiency. By aligning the upward product's technical specifications (DMO, DOmin, DNA) with the already-live downward product, RTE creates symmetry across both reserve directions, simplifying participation for balancing service providers and aggregators who can now offer flexible capacity on a daily rolling basis rather than committing to longer periodic contracts. The parallel retention of periodic mFRR SPE0 auctions (until volumes are reallocated under the new dimensioning methodology at 'Date RT19') indicates a phased transition rather than an abrupt one, with RTE managing a dual-track capacity procurement system during the changeover. This should gradually increase short-term liquidity in the French balancing capacity market and tighten the link between capacity remuneration and near-real-time system needs, consistent with the broader EU trend (seen in other TSOs) toward shorter balancing capacity contract durations.

EU Electricity Balancing Guideline (Regulation 2017/2195) Article 32.2; Regulation (EU) 2019/943 Article 6(9); RTE Règles RR-RC (Réserves Rapide et Complémentaire) Version 6 approved by CRE deliberation of 5 March 2026, in force since 1 April 2026

First daily mFRR upward auction window closes and results published · 17 Nov 2026

Primary sources