Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 30 June 2026, from the CNMC, which modifies electrical operation procedures 7.4 and 14.4 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 10 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 10 July 2026 |
| Affected parties | Renewable electrical generators, system operators and voltage control service providers |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
| Modified procedures | PO 7.4 and PO 14.4 |
| Reactive power tolerance | Up to 15% |
Renewable generators connected to the peninsular electrical system must review their enabling status for the voltage control service. The Resolution of 30 June 2026 from the CNMC modifies operation procedures 7.4 and 14.4 with immediate effect from 10 July 2026, introducing changes that directly affect the way the service is provided, its remuneration and the criteria for validating compliance.
The background is clear: the high penetration of renewable energy has generated stability problems in the electrical system that require more installations capable of providing the voltage control service dynamically. The CNMC responds with this modification to expand the base of enabled providers and adjust economic conditions to operational reality.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution introduces three blocks of specific changes in operation procedures 7.4 and 14.4. Each one is detailed below:
| Change | Previous situation | New situation (from 10/07/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Service modality | Only dynamic provision with real-time setpoint tracking | A new fixed setpoint modality is added, which allows incorporating installations not prepared for real-time tracking |
| Service remuneration | Did not adequately cover costs when the provider had to consume energy from the grid without primary resource available | Remuneration is revised to cover actual costs of providers in situations of grid energy consumption without primary resource |
| Validation tolerances | Stricter reactive power tolerances | Reactive power tolerances in compliance validation are expanded up to 15% |
The new fixed setpoint modality is the most relevant change from the perspective of market expansion: it allows installations that technically cannot respond to variable setpoints in real-time to still be enabled to provide the service, albeit in a less flexible modality. This opens the door to a significantly larger number of renewable generators.
The remuneration review responds to a real market asymmetry: when a provider must consume energy from the grid to maintain the voltage control service at times when it does not have primary resource available (for example, a photovoltaic installation at night or with low irradiation), the associated costs were not properly covered. The new regulation corrects this situation.
Economic and operational impact
The economic and operational effects of this resolution materialize in three dimensions for sector agents:
- New potential income: Renewable installations that until now could not be enabled because they did not have the capacity to track setpoints in real-time can access the service through the fixed setpoint modality, opening a new source of income from system adjustment service provision.
- Improvement of existing remuneration: Already-enabled providers who at certain times must consume energy from the grid to provide the service will have those actual costs covered, which improves the net profitability of the service in scenarios of low or no primary generation.
- Reduced risk of non-compliance: The expansion of reactive power tolerances to 15% in validation reduces the risk of penalties or disqualifications due to minor technical deviations, improving the legal and economic security of current providers.
From an operational perspective, installations interested in accessing the new fixed setpoint modality must review their technical enabling conditions with the system operator, as the specific requirements for this modality are defined in the modified procedures.
Who does it affect?
- Renewable electrical generators connected to the peninsular electrical system (photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric and others) that provide or have the capacity to provide the voltage control service.
- Non-enabled renewable installations that did not have the capacity to track setpoints in real-time and can now access the new fixed setpoint modality.
- Current voltage control service providers that benefit from the remuneration review and expanded tolerances.
- Peninsular electrical system operators (Red Eléctrica de España / REE as system operator), who manage the enabling and monitoring of the service.
- Technical advisors and energy consultants who support renewable generators in managing system adjustment services.
Practical example
A 50 MW photovoltaic installation connected to the peninsular system that until now was not enabled for the voltage control service because its control system did not allow real-time setpoint tracking can, as of 10 July 2026, request enabling under the new fixed setpoint modality.
In this modality, the installation operates with a fixed reactive power value agreed with the system operator, without the need to adjust it dynamically. This allows it to access the remuneration associated with the service without requiring an investment in updating its control systems for real-time response.
Additionally, if at any nighttime or low irradiation moment the installation must consume energy from the grid to maintain the service conditions (for example, to power reactive compensation equipment), the new revised remuneration covers those actual costs, which previously were borne by the provider without adequate compensation.
Finally, if during the validation of service compliance a deviation in delivered reactive power is detected, the expanded tolerance of 15% prevents minor technical deviations from generating penalties or loss of enabling.
What should companies do now?
- Review current enabling status: Verify if the installation is already enabled for the voltage control service and under what modality, to identify whether the new regulation opens opportunities for improvement or new access routes.
- Evaluate the viability of the fixed setpoint modality: Installations not enabled due to lack of real-time tracking capacity must analyze whether they meet the technical requirements for the new fixed setpoint modality and calculate the economic impact of enabling.
- Review current remuneration contracts and agreements: Already-enabled providers must check whether the remuneration review affects them positively, especially in scenarios of grid consumption without available primary resource.
- Update internal validation procedures: Incorporate the new 15% tolerance in reactive power to monitoring and compliance systems to avoid unnecessary alerts or penalties for deviations within the new permitted margin.
- Contact the system operator: Initiate the enabling or updating of conditions process with Red Eléctrica de España if accessing the new modality or if adjustment of existing provision conditions is required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new fixed setpoint modality in voltage control?
It is a new way of providing the voltage control service introduced by the CNMC Resolution of 30 June 2026. Unlike the dynamic modality, which requires real-time setpoint tracking, the fixed setpoint allows operation with a fixed reactive power value agreed with the system operator. It is specifically designed to incorporate installations that technically cannot respond to variable setpoints in real-time, thus expanding the number of enabled renewable generators.
When does the modification of procedures 7.4 and 14.4 come into force?
The resolution came into force on the same day of its publication in the BOE: 10 July 2026. There is no transitional period: the changes in the fixed setpoint modality, revised remuneration and 15% tolerances are applicable from that date.
What tolerance is now applied in reactive power validation?
The CNMC Resolution of 30 June 2026 expands reactive power tolerances in the validation of voltage control service compliance up to 15%. This expansion reduces the risk of penalties for minor technical deviations and improves the legal security of enabled providers.
Why is the remuneration for the voltage control service revised?
The remuneration review responds to a specific situation: when a service provider must consume energy from the grid to maintain the conditions of the voltage control service at times when it does not have available primary resource (for example, a photovoltaic installation at night), the associated costs were not adequately covered. The new remuneration covers those actual costs, improving the profitability of the service in those scenarios.
To which electrical system do these changes apply?
The changes introduced by the CNMC Resolution of 30 June 2026 apply to the peninsular electrical system. The modified operation procedures 7.4 and 14.4 regulate the voltage control service in that system.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is merely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15127