SP Energy Networks has accepted 555MW of bids of flexibility services following its spring tender.
The network operator is planning to build on this with a second flexibility tender this year, to continue to develop a smarter, more flexible network, it said.
A total of 1.4GW of capacity of flexibility services at all voltage levels for between 2023 and 2028 bid. The accepted 555MW, together with capacity that SP Energy Networks has already contracted, could provide more than 700MW of services.
SP Energy Networks launched the tender for 1.4GW of services across areas in SP Manweb and SP Distribution in April.
“The response to our latest flexibility tender is extremely encouraging, and is a clear sign that the market is becoming more aware of our requirements and the opportunities that flexibility services represent,” Gerard Boyd, acting head of DSO, at SP Energy Networks, said.
“We are exploring flexibility as a solution for a range of network challenges, considering it alongside smart solutions and network reinforcement, ultimately selecting the most cost-effective solution for our customers.”
In the second tender, SP Energy Networks is looking to procure 110MW of flexibility services for the next three years. This could enable over 800MW of flexibility services to reduce costs for customers and mitigate some need for traditional reinforcement.
As well as this latest tender, the network operator is running a trial across Flintshire in Wales, testing the potential of reactive power to solve network constraints.
Other DNOs have been tendering for flexibility throughout 2021, including Electricity North West issuing a call for 259MW of flexibility between 2022-24 at the beginning of November. Record levels of local flexibility have been contracted in 2021, with an uplift of 45% on 2020 recorded by July.
