EEX offers membership-lite to capture CO₂ trade

Leipzig-based energy and carbon exchange EEX will next week offer cut-price services to companies wishing to participate in auctions of carbon permits in a bid to capture more members ahead of next year’s huge increase in volume that EU member states will sell. The exchange said it would simplify requirements for smaller and medium-sized participants by offering them “auction only” admission. The exchange said it would not charge fees and slash the costs that companies have to pay for technical access to the platform. It will also allow companies to call in bids at the auction to allow companies to avoid paying access fees at all. “With this simplified form of admission we are lowering the requirements for smaller and medium-sized companies that want to participate exclusively in the auctions," said Steffen Köhler, Chief Market Officer of EEX. "The simplified admission requirements also mean that these companies do not have to furnish proof of liable equity of 50,000 euros,“ he added.