EPEX SPOT, supported by ENTRNCE, has launched Direct+, a plug-and-trade solution designed to make access to the wholesale power market easier, faster and more cost-efficient for smaller market participants.

Direct+ lowers the financial, operational and technical barriers to accessing wholesale power markets, enabling smaller market participants to trade directly, reducing the complexity and costs typically associated with market entry. By combining direct market access, physical and financial settlement into one integrated setup, Direct+ minimises onboarding effort, lowers collateral and operational requirements, and accelerates time-to-market. The solution responds to the needs of participants seeking a streamlined and scalable way to participate directly in increasingly fast-moving but also complex power markets.

"Direct+ reflects our shared ambition to broaden access to the wholesale market without compromising on performance, transparency or market integrity," said Lukas Gresnigt, CEO of EPEX SPOT. "By partnering with ENTRNCE, we are able to offer a solution that is operationally simple, clearly structured and fully aligned with the established market framework."

One access point to the wholesale market

Through a single direct trading membership, Direct+ enables participants to access trading, clearing and settlement via one centralised setup – significantly reducing complexity and shortening time-to-market.

Direct+ offers:

• Integrated BRP services: An EPEX SPOT-operated, neutral pass-through BRP solution with lower collateral requirements, facilitated onboarding, real-time imbalance visibility via the E-Wallet and centralised communication with the respective TSO.
• Simplified clearing and settlement: A pre-payment solution also integrated into the E-Wallet, enabling centralised financial management and reduced operational risks.
• An adapted fee structure:A transparent and straightforward pricing model designed for smaller participants, with reduced upfront fees.

"What makes Direct+ work is the combination of EPEX SPOT's market authority and ENTRNCE's platform technology," said Stefan Koppers, CEO of ENTRNCE. "With our deep roots in Energy & Flexibility Markets, we know what it takes to make markets accessible for participants who were previously not able to step in directly. EPEX SPOT's undisputed experience has what it takes to run the quickly evolving physical wholesale power markets at scale. We're proud to partner with EPEX SPOT and together we will open power markets for smaller participants across Europe."

Direct+ is now live in the Netherlands, first opening access to EPEX SPOT's Dutch Power Spot Auction and Continuous markets.