UK Power Networks (UKPN) has contracted for more than 18MW of power in what has been billed as the country’s largest ever competitive flexibility tender.
The distribution network operator (DNO) has offered contracts for a total of 18.2MW of power from six companies using Piclo’s online platform, becoming the first DNO in the country to do so.
The flexibility contracts are worth around £450,000 and will support projects in eight locations, namely Brandon, Leighton Buzzard, Lewes Newhaven, Lothos, Merton, Mill Hill, Romney Warren and St Helier.
More details surrounding the contracts are to be made available in due course.
DNOs are increasingly turning towards flexibility to help offset the need for costly grid reinforcements, and late last year all six signed a landmark Flexibility Commitment, championed by the Energy Networks Association, to serve as a pledge to examine flexibility services whenever necessary.
Barry Hatton, director of asset management at UKPN, said that flexibility offered a wealth of benefits for the industry and would enable it to create an “open, transparent and accountable” new market for their services.
“The UK is a world-leader in Smart Grid technology and Flexibility has a key role to play as we move towards a decarbonised, decentralised and digitised network that will offer significant benefits to our customers,” he said.
