Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has announced plans to tender for 287 MW of new flexibility capacity this year.

Flexibility is the ability to shift the timing of both the consumption and generation of electricity. As more low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles, connect to the grid alongside distributed energy resources, flexibility is playing a crucial role in managing constraints on the network and supporting the smart grid technologies that will allow a cost-effective transition to net zero.

SSEN is seeking to procure an array of flexibility services: Secure and Dynamic which each pay an 'availability and utilisation' fee and Restore, which pays a utilisation-only payment. Contracts are being sought in 13 new zones in the North of Scotland and two zones (one new) in the south of England, with more details outlined on SSEN' website.

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Nisha Doshi, Flexibility Markets Manager at SSEN, said: "We're excited to announce this increase in procurement of flexibility services in our north and south licence areas. Owners, operators or aggregators of generation, storage or demand assets with flex capacity over 50kW may be able to provide flexibility services in return for payment from SSEN for helping defer reinforcement, reduce customer interruptions and the need for mobile diesel generators.

"Flexibility allows us to manage the network cost effectively, which ultimately benefits our customers, and I'd encourage potential providers to register here and submit pre-qualification information before 30 April 2023 to participate in the tender."