A cooperation of nineteen Transmission System Operators (TSOs) from across Europe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to consolidate a single, shared view on how to implement a European platform for the exchange of balancing energy from Frequency Restoration Reserves with manual activation (mFRR platform). The project is called MARI which stands for Manually Activated Reserves Initiative.

As the Commission regulation Guideline on Electricity Balancing (GL EB) approved on March 16, 2017, by the Electricity Cross Border Committee requires the introduction of platforms coordinating the exchange of balancing energy for all types of reserves, the participating TSOs started working on the principles of a common mFRR platform already in 2016. It is expected that a well-designed platform not only fulfills the GL EB requirements but also reinforces the security of supply and increases the efficiency and cooperation in balancing across Europe.

Through this MoU, the participating TSOs have set out common guiding principles for a successful implementation.

Participating TSOs are now moving their focus to the development and implementation of a mFRR platform. During this process, the cooperation commits itself to communicating latest developments and asking input from all the stakeholders, including National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs). Thanks to the TSOs’ efforts ahead of the entry into force of GL EB, the project is currently optimistic to meet the timescales foreseen in the regulatory framework, that is to say 2022.