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System Operation

System Operation

The Transmission System Operator is the pilot of the electricity system: the TSO is responsible for the safe operation of the system. This means:

• taking care of the safe transmission of electricity
• taking care of the reliability and stability of the system
• balancing supply and demand at any time
• maintaining and developing the infrastructure: the networks and related technical facilities.

In the liberalised electricity market that is developing in the European Union, the TSO is not itself a market party. Rather, it is the provider of the infrastructure and of the system management services that are the necessary prerequisites for the functioning of the market.

As a provider of these services to market parties (generators, traders and suppliers of electricity) the TSO has not only the technical responsibility for system operations, but is also responsible for the fair and non-discriminatory access to these services by market participants. The neutral and independent TSO is a precondition for fair competition.

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