SP Energy Networks has accepted bids totalling 140MW of flexibility services, for the RIIO-ED2 business plan period 2023-2028, following the latest round of tendering.

For the first time it tendered for low voltage flexibility and it accepted bids for 3MW of flexibility at 33 locations across the full LV network.

Bids were accepted across 55 sites at HV, EHV and 132kV. In central and southern Scotland, 24MW of flexible energy was secured across 10 locations at HV and EHV. In north-west England and North Wales, 113MW was secured across 12 locations at HV and EHV.

Flexible network solutions can defer or avoid the need for traditional reinforcement, keep customer bills as low as possible, and help deliver the changes that will significantly reduce our carbon footprint. It involves working with customers who can control their electricity demand or how much they generate. This then helps unlock capacity in the existing infrastructure as low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and electric heating systems connect to the network.

Graham Campbell, Head of Whole Systems and Commercial for SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re encouraged by the responses from flexibility providers to this latest tender and thank all those who took the time to participate. The bids enable us to identify the level of flexible capacity available in areas where it could benefit the network, understand the capabilities of these resources, and assess the viability of using flexibility to meet network requirements.”

SP Energy Networks’ next flexibility tender will commence at the end of April.

Customers interested in providing flexibility services can find further information at www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/flexibility or by emailing [email protected].