Becoming a Virtual Trading Party
This page lists and details the step-by-step process of becoming a Virtual Trading Party (VTP). You will also learn about what qualifications are needed, the relevant costs and charges and any other information you may need to know.
What is a Virtual Trading Party?
VTPs are aggregators of Supplier Volume Allocation (SVA) registered Half Hourly Metering Systems for the purpose of allowing Wholesale Market access for the Independent Aggregator to trade a Customer’s flexibility. A VTP can participate solely in Wholesale Market Activities.
Qualifications needed
In order to qualify as a VTP you will need to obtain the following qualifications:
The Central Volume Allocation (CVA) Qualification is needed to prove that VTPs have the ability to send certain communications to BSC Agents and ensure that certain communications are received.
The Supplier Volume Allocation (SVA) is needed to ensure that VTPs understand the obligations and activities of the BSC and maintain a certain performance level.
Costs
VTPs acceding to the BSC must pay a £500 accession fee which covers the administrative costs of entering the market. Once acceded, a flat monthly fee of £250 + VAT applies. This is known as a base monthly charge.
Credit cover
Charges are made to Parties (or by them) as a result of any imbalance (Trading Charges) 29 days after a Settlement Day. Over this period a Parties’ Credit Cover ensures it has enough collateral to cover these payments in case of default.
We do not specify the amount of Credit Cover you must lodge; it is up to the Party to decide. Parties usually make this decision based on their trading characteristics.
For more information on Credit Cover please see the Credit Cover explained page.
Other costs
Secondary BM Unit Monthly Charge – £60
A VTP must pay a charge for each Secondary BM Unit for which the Party is Lead Party, for
all or any part of that month.
Notified Volume Charge – £0.0005/MWh
A charge is also payable against a Party’s Gross Contract Volume.
Participant Test Service charges
For parties wanting to test/re-test any flows you can use the PTS service to increase the level of assurance to individual companies, and to the industry as a whole.
The service can be used before competing CVA Qualification testing and operating in the live environment, and to test any impacts as a result of changes to your business software.
The PTS service is booked in half day test slots (9am-1pm/1-5pm) and is charged at £999+VAT per test slot
To book a PTS test slot please submit a completed PTS Booking Form to the BSC Service Desk.
Steps needed to become a Virtual Trading Party
You will need to go through various steps in order to register as a VTP. The diagram below lists all the tasks required. Within the individual steps there are forms that need to be completed and details about financial transactions that need to take place.
Using the Kinnect Customer Solution
You can use the Elexon Kinnect Customer Solution where you will be directed to all the relevant steps needed to become an VTP. Elexon Kinnect is a self-service gateway that offers a guided and streamlined market entry process.
Steps to Market Entry
Getting started
The first thing to do is formally register your intent to become a VTP. You can do this by completing an expression of interest form.
If you would like a meeting to discuss any further questions you have please state your availability in the expression of interest form, and we will arrange a meeting with you to discuss your questions or alternatively please send us an email with your questions to [email protected].
After the meeting you will be issued with an Elexon Kinnect login. From there you can start to go through the market entry process.