Active demand response: what changes for consuming companies in 2026

Key data

Intensive energy consuming companies and demand aggregators have a new opportunity and, at the same time, a new obligation to adapt. The CNMC Resolution of May 11, 2026 modifies electrical operation procedure 7.5, which regulates active demand response as an adjustment service for the Spanish electrical system.

The objective is clear: to improve efficiency in the allocation of this service, optimizing how it is contracted and how those offering consumption flexibility are remunerated. If your company can reduce or shift electrical consumption at the request of the system operator, this regulation directly affects you.

What does this regulation establish?

Electrical operation procedure 7.5 is the technical framework that regulates how the electrical system operator, Red Eléctrica de España (REE), manages active demand response as an adjustment service. This service allows large consumers and demand aggregators to reduce or modify their electrical consumption at times of network stress, contributing to system balance.

The CNMC resolution introduces changes in the following aspects of PO 7.5:

• Contracting mechanisms: The procedures through which authorized agents offer their response capacity to the REE system operator are optimized.
• Remuneration mechanisms: The economic conditions under which those providing the active demand response service are paid are improved.
• Participation conditions: Intensive energy consuming companies and demand aggregators will be able to participate under more competitive conditions.
• Market integration: The measure seeks greater integration of flexible demand resources in the electrical market, aligning with European energy transition objectives.

The previous regulation governed these same aspects, but the new mechanisms seek to correct inefficiencies in service allocation, making the process more transparent and competitive for all authorized agents.

Economic and operational impact

This modification has a dual reading for affected companies: economic opportunity and need for operational adaptation.

On the opportunity side, the improvement in remuneration mechanisms can translate into additional income for companies that already participate or decide to become authorized to offer active demand response. A more efficient allocation process means that agents with greater actual flexibility capacity will have more chances of being selected and compensated.

On the operational side, subjects already authorized before REE will need to review and adapt their internal procedures to the new contracting mechanisms. This may involve:

• Review of electrical consumption monitoring and control systems.
• Update of communication protocols with the REE system operator.
• Training of the technical team responsible for managing participation in the service.
• Evaluation of whether improved conditions make authorization profitable for companies not yet participating.

The resolution aligns with European energy transition objectives, which anticipates that this type of flexibility requirements will increase in the coming years.

Who does it affect?

• Intensive energy consuming companies: Industries with high electrical consumption (steel, chemicals, paper, food, mining, etc.) that can significantly modulate their demand and are authorized or can become authorized before REE.
• Demand aggregators: Companies that group the response capacity of several consumers to offer it jointly to the system operator, acting as intermediaries in the adjustment services market.
• Electrical system operators: Red Eléctrica de España (REE), which must apply the new contracting and allocation procedures established in the modified PO 7.5.
• Energy advisors and specialized consulting firms: That advise industrial companies on their participation in adjustment services and flexibility markets.

Practical example

An industrial company in the chemical sector with high electrical consumption and capacity to reduce its demand in certain time slots is authorized as an active demand response subject before REE.

Until now, it participated in the service under the conditions of the previous PO 7.5, with contracting mechanisms that might not adequately reflect its actual flexibility capacity or remunerate it optimally.

With the modification introduced by the CNMC resolution of May 11, 2026, this company must review how it offers its response capacity to REE under the new mechanisms. If the new procedures are more efficient in allocation, the company has more chances of being selected when the system needs adjustments, and of receiving remuneration more aligned with the real value of its flexibility.

In parallel, a demand aggregator managing the response of several industrial SMEs must update its contracts and operational protocols to adapt to the new participation conditions, which in principle are more competitive for this type of agent.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if you are authorized as an active demand response subject before REE: If you already participate, you must review how the new PO 7.5 mechanisms affect your current offer and contracting procedures.
2. Evaluate the opportunity if you do not yet participate: The more competitive conditions introduced by the resolution may make authorization profitable for intensive consuming companies that have not previously considered this income stream.
3. Review internal operational protocols: Authorized subjects must adapt their monitoring, control and communication systems with REE to the new contracting and remuneration mechanisms.
4. Check the exact entry into force date: The resolution was published on May 15, 2026, but the effective application date has not been specified. Check the official source in the BOE to confirm the implementation timeline.
5. Coordinate with your energy advisor or aggregator: If you participate through a demand aggregator, verify that it has updated its procedures in accordance with the new PO 7.5 regulation.
6. Follow regulatory developments: This modification is part of European energy transition objectives. Anticipate that demand flexibility requirements will increase and position your company to take advantage of them.