Have you concluded a CBC-A or CSC-A with your grid operator?* Then you are well on your way. The next step? Registering on the GOPACS platform by creating an account.
You need this account to receive activation requests: requests from the grid operator to adjust your take-off or feed-in at specific moments. Only after registration can you actually deliver flexible capacity and participate in congestion management.
Creating an account is free and quickly arranged. On this page, we explain step-by-step how it works. Prefer to get started right away? Click here:
Now that you have concluded a contract, you can choose whether you want to manage the contract execution yourself or if you prefer to outsource it.
Do it yourself
You create and manage your own account, enter your EAN codes, and respond to activation requests from the grid operator yourself. This route is useful if you want to maintain control and can smartly control your technical installations.
Via a Congestion Service Provider (CSP)
You can also authorize an external expert: a CSP. For a fee, the CSP takes the technical and administrative work off your hands. This route is useful if you prefer to focus on your primary business processes.
The steps below describe how to create an account yourself.
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Tip: Check our page “Doing it yourself or via a CSP?” to see which route best suits your business operations.
Create an account
Go to the GOPACS platform and fill in your details to create an account.
Activate and set up 2FA
Click on the activation link in the email you receive and set up two-factor authentication (2FA). You can now log in.
Add connection (EAN)
Add the EAN code(s) of the connections for which you have concluded a CBC-A or CSC-A contract. After submission, your grid operator must approve your application. Once this is done, you will receive an email.
Complete registration
You now have an active connection. Your grid operator must now link your contract to your connection in GOPACS. You will receive an email when this has been completed. Your connection is now ready to participate in congestion management.
Account and Call Manuals
Check out our manual section and find the step-by-step guide you need.
Glossary
Are you encountering a term you don’t recognize? Check our Glossary for an explanation.
Personal Assistance
Need help getting started? Fill in your details together with our case manager. To make an appointment, send an email to: casemanager@gopacs.eu.
Technical Questions
For issues with logging in or questions about the portal, please contact servicedesk@gopacs.eu.
General Questions
Would you like to know more about the role of the grid operators or how GOPACS works? Email info@gopacs.eu.
GOPACS is the joint platform of the Dutch grid operators for congestion management. We help keep the electricity grid reliable at times and locations where it risks becoming temporarily overloaded.
We do this by deploying flexible capacity in a smart way. When grid operators expect congestion, GOPACS brings together supply and demand for flexibility. Market parties can temporarily adjust their production or consumption. Through our platform, exactly the flexibility that is needed is activated: locally, at the right moment, and without creating new bottlenecks elsewhere on the grid.
GOPACS coordinates this process, matches bids based on real-time grid data, and always selects the most efficient solution. This creates room on the grid again, companies receive compensation for their flexibility, and the energy system remains balanced.
In short: GOPACS connects grid operators and market parties to solve grid congestion in a targeted, transparent, and cost-efficient way.
There are no costs associated with registering for or using the GOPACS application.
It is recommended, but not mandatory. You can also arrange this yourself.
A CSP (Congestion Service Provider) can support you in offering and controlling your flexibility, handling bids, and managing the operational processes related to congestion management. For many parties, this makes participation easier because the CSP takes care of the technical and market-related processes.
If you have the knowledge, systems, and operational capacity to manage this yourself, you can also take on this role independently. In that case, you organise the control of your flexibility and the coordination with the grid operator yourself.
In short: a CSP is not required, but it can make participation easier.
A CSP (Congestion Service Provider) manages congestion management on behalf of one or more connected parties. The CSP aggregates flexibility, submits bids, and ensures execution and settlement in accordance with the Grid Code.
This applies to connected parties with a contracted transport capacity (GTV) of 0.1 MW or higher.
A Capacity Limiting Contract (CLC) is a predefined agreement with the grid operator. You agree to limit your maximum consumption or feed-in at certain times (with CLC-T) or when congestion is expected (with CLC-A, day-ahead). The conditions and compensation are fixed in advance; there is no market mechanism and no bidding for each activation.
A Mandatory Bidding Contract works differently. With this contract, you commit to always submitting a redispatch bid when congestion is announced. Your flexibility is therefore deployed through the market: you set the price each time and are only compensated if your bid is actually selected.
In short:
Both contracts help grid operators address congestion in a controlled and targeted way, each with a different structure and degree of flexibility.
