Ensuring compatibility of the all-island electricity system with the target model: Fitting a square peg into a round hole?

► The Single Electricity Market (SEM) has worked well for consumers in Ireland. ► The SEM has to conform to the Target Model (TM) by 2016. ► The SEM is mandatory pool/central dispatch; the TM is bilateral contracts/self dispatch. ► Ensuring compliance with TM is best achieved through minimal change to SEM. ► Far reaching change is more appropriate once SEM is fully integrated in the EU electricity market.