Factors such as temperature and how far power is transported contribute to loss of electricity in transmission. 

Loss functionality is currently implemented on the Baltic cable between Sweden and Germany (SE4 and DE), the NorNed cable between the Netherlands and Norway, the NordLink cable between Germany and Norway and the North Sea Link (NSL) cable between GB and Norway. Loss factor on the Baltic Cable is set to 2.4%, on the NorNed cable 3.2%, the NordLink cable 3.1%, while the loss factor on the North Sea Link is set to 2,6%. 

Example: A sell position of 100 MW at power exchange A will lead to buy position of 97.6 MW at power exchange B (assuming a loss factor of 2.4%).

Hence, the volume physically exported from one sending bidding area will not be the same as the one imported by the receiving bidding area. The capacity limits allocated to each line apply to flows before losses.

Losses impact on volume and on prices

Price properties

When no congestion (no congestion rent):

When line A>B is congested:

Volume properties      

In an ATC network model without losses:

In an ATC network model with losses:

In other words, the energy being imported equals the amount of energy being exported minus the amount of energy that is lost.

As it is preferable not to waste energy, losses will thus be minimised. If multiple paths exist between sending and receiving areas, lines with the smallest losses will be used first, as this will allow more quantity to be exchanged. 

In the example below, there are two paths from area A to area B: A->B and A ->C ->B with different losses. In this case energy will be sent from A to B using the line with smallest losses via the direct route from A to B. The route from A to B going through C will only come into play when the direct route from A to B is fully used.