Communication between the HETS Operator and the Participants, which includes all notifications or submissions provided for in this Rulebook, shall be performed by electronic means through the Balancing Market System. In case communication through the Balancing Market System is not possible for any reason, or in case of emergency, communication can take place by other means such as telephone, email or fax at the discretion of the HETS Operator.

The HETS Operator shall use the appropriate international standards to establish appropriate interconnection protocols for the Participants to communicate with the Balancing Market System and shall make these interconnection protocols available to all requesting persons. The Participants shall put into service systems that are suitable for effective communication with the Balancing Market System operated by the HETS Operator.

The Balancing Market System automatically issues an acknowledgment of receipt, which is sent directly to the Participants through the Participants Communication System.

In the event of a total or partial unavailability of the Participants Communication System, the HETS Operator shall immediately notify all the Participants by sending a relevant notice by any appropriate means, specifying the procedure to be followed for further communication and the expected amount of time required to restore the system availability. As soon as the system is restored, the HETS Operator shall notify all Participants electronically.

In any case, the Participants Communication System shall be the preferred route of communication as long as there is no unavailability issue. In that case, the provisions on Emergency Situations, as defined in the HETS Grid Code, shall apply.

Each Participant shall comply with specific standards in its communications with the HETS Operator. These standards shall apply with regard to the operational capability, reliability and safety of its own communication centers and the appropriate computer and data networking equipment. The equipment must be used by the Participants only for their communications with the Balancing Market System.

Each Participant shall be responsible for the provision and maintenance of telephone, fax and e-mail equipment at its own expense.

The HETS Operator shall not be liable to the Participants for the timely transmission of offers, declarations or other data from the Participants, or for technical failures in the systems and the equipment used by the Participants to communicate with the Balancing Market System.