SP Energy Networks opens its largest tender for flexibility services

We have launched our largest ever call for flexibility services in ten areas right across our licences in Scotland, England and North Wales.

We have entered a commercial partnership with Piclo, an independent marketplace for trading flexibility online, to procure up to 95MW of flexibility in this our second tender.

Access to flexibility, where we pay connected assets (such as generators, storage, flexible demand etc) to operate in ways that benefit the network, will play a critical role in our transformation into a Distribution System Operator (DSO) as we develop smarter, more flexible network solutions to mitigate the need for traditional reinforcement and reduce costs for Customers.

Graham Campbell, Head of DSO at SP Energy Networks says: “We know flexibility is key to the development of the smart network of the future. As we help the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments achieve their ambitious Net Zero carbon targets, and our world becomes ever more reliant on electricity, these flexibility services are vital. They will help us ensure our customers continue to receive a secure and reliable power supply whilst facilitating allowing them to take full advantage of Low Carbon technologies.

“That’s why I’m delighted we have partnered with Piclo once again to launch a tender for up to 95MW of flexibility services in ten locations across our two licence areas, and in the coming weeks we will also be seeking reactive power services. We have taken the unique position of publishing site specific rates which we are willing to pay for services, to help inform the market, following feedback from flex providers and wider stakeholders. We are excited about what this decision will mean for the market and look forward to receiving competitive offers from flex providers.

“The tender we are launching today (open until mid-January) will see these services provide real solutions for network challenges that we will face between 2020 and 2023,  helping us deliver the better future our customers deserve.”

James Johnston, CEO and Cofounder of Piclo says: “I am very pleased that SP Energy Networks have chosen to use Piclo Flex to access flexibility from across their networks. Following on from our trials over the past year, we have built Piclo Flex into an industry defining platform which has proven to lower barriers and increase participation in DSO flexibility auctions. 

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with SP Energy Networks and supporting this flexibility tender round. We are very excited to see where the market will evolve over the coming year - both in the UK and globally.”

Ten areas, requiring a mix of flexible services, have been identified in this round of tendering including:

Flex providers in these areas can register their assets onto the Piclo platform to automatically qualify for and bid into flexibility auctions. The pre-qualification period will be open from 4^th October to 6^th December.  Competition will open on the 11^th of December and close on the 15^th of January.

View more detailed information on the SP Energy Networks Flexibility Tender, including full details of how to get involved if you have flexibility services to offer.