Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has secured 348MW of flexibility contracts across five sites in Scotland and two in central and southern England.
The distribution network operator (DNO) now has 446.8MW in contracted services across its network, which has been secured using Constraint Management Zones (CMZ) contracts.
CMZs provide an alternative to traditional electricity generation being used when the main electricity network is temporarily disconnected such as during a prolonged power cut or a period of network maintenance. CMZs provide renewable generation and energy storage measures over relying solely on diesel generators or back-up power stations.
In the north of Scotland, SSEN has secured 200MW of flexibility with 150MW of this coming from five hydropower sites in Achintee, Cassley, Port Ann, Kilmelford and Doon.
In SSEN’s southern central England licence area an additional 198MW has been made available across sites in Havant and Rownhams, with these sites using a combination of battery storage, diesel and gas power and gas reciprocating engines.
The DNO is also calling on its customers to register interest in providing 250MW of flexibility to the energy system over the next eight years, with owners of low-carbon technologies, generators and solutions that can absorb demand able to earn money and support network security and the transition to net zero in a cost-effective manner.
“CMZ contracts are a vital part of SSEN’s commitment to running a network that puts flexibility first,” Alex Howison, flexible solutions manager for SSEN, said.
“Today’s announcement provides an exciting example of how we are leading the way in securing safe and secure electricity solutions across Great Britain while also seeking to reduce carbon emissions and support the journey to net zero.”
In April 2020, SSEN revealed it had saved customers £230,000 and avoided 2,450 tonnes of CO2 emissions on the Isle of Islay using CMZ, and in October it awarded the first wind generator contract as part of the CMZ flexibility scheme.