A ‘window’ for new interconnector developers to apply for a ‘cap and floor’ deal on returns for new projects has been delayed to 2016.

The first such window was opened last year and closed in September. Ofgem said then that it planned to open a second window in September 2015 and in March this year it asked for expressions of interest. But information on “the status of projects that have indicated an interest, their respective stages in the development cycle and their likely fit with our eligibility criteria” have persuaded the regulator that its window is too early. It will confirm details of its next window in autumn but currently anticipates it will be in the first half of 2016.

Meanwhile, European electricity networks organisation Entsoe-E has asked for feedback on the network and storage projects that will be eligible for support under the EU’s Ten Year Network Development Programme.
The organisation asked for feedback on the list, which includes projects linking to the Great Britain and Irish markets, in advance of carrying out a cost benefit analysis, which will begin in the autumn. Entsoe-E has already carried out a consultation on network requirements in 2020 and 2030, and the projects supported will be within this framework. Five projects linking the GB market with the single market in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland were rejected for funding due to incomplete documentation .
The consultation (click here) closes on 10 September. The final list will be published in 2016.

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