Eight years in the making: power flows without borders in Europe

London

AFTER almost two years of delays, Germany, France and their neighbours in central-western Europe were scheduled to connect their electricity markets on Wednesday under a system that lets prices dictate where power flows between countries.

Flow-based market coupling will match supply and demand across borders, sending electricity to where prices are highest. Average day-ahead rates are expected to rise in Germany, and decline in Belgium and the Netherlands, according to data compiled by Energy Brainpool GmbH, a Berlin-based consultant.