Companies who want to provide flexibility services to distribution network operators (DNOs) will now be able to use a more transparent and streamlined common contract, standardised across all the networks.
The existing contract was ‘refreshed’ by ENA’s Open Networks project, with input from distribution network operators, National Grid Electricity System Operator, Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
It offers a consistent GB-wide core agreement and ENA said it will help take the transition to the smart grid to the next level and mark another step forward in bringing consistency across the industry.
Key updates include:
- Simplifying the core contract
- Increased alignment with NGESO’s approach
- Making clauses more accessible across the agreement
- Making the process more accessible to aggregators
The energy networks have made significant progress on flexibility services since the launch of a dedicated workstream as part of ENA’s Open Networks project at the beginning of 2019. Over 2GW of flexibility was tendered by distribution network operators last year.
A public consultation on the next version of the common contract will open in August, with plans to launch at the end of the year. Its associated contractual evolution report will be launched later this month.
Download the new contract here