Embedded benefits ‘distorting’ energy market

Transmission network charging arrangements seem to be unfairly advantageous for embedded generators, Ofgem has warned.

The energy regulator is concerned that current charging arrangements, known as embedded benefits, are preventing a level playing field between sub-100MW embedded generators and larger embedded generators. The system is also detrimental for transmission connected generation Ofgem suggested.

The concerns were raised in an open letter, published on Ofgem’s website.

The regulator said that it has been concerned for “a number of years” that the system of embedded benefits may be “distorting investment decisions and leading to inefficient outcomes in the capacity market”. Many market participants share these concerns, according to Ofgem.

This story first appeared on Networks.online, the website of Utility Week’s sister title, Network.

Setting out its main worries, Ofgem wrote: “With the increase in overall Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges and the rapid increase in the volume of embedded generation, the size of TNUoS charges demand residual payments has grown as has the number of parties receiving them. This creates a large benefit to connecting to the distribution network rather than the transmission network.”

The regulator said it was concerned that the size and increase of the TNUoS demand residual payments may now be distorting the market by:

• leading to an inefficient mix of generation by encouraging investment in smaller distribution connected generation (which can take advantage of the embedded benefits revenue stream) over potentially more efficient larger transmission connected generators (TG) or over-100MW EG (which does not have access to that revenue stream);
•  leading to TG exiting because it cannot compete;
• distorting dispatch by dampening prices at peak times when EG dispatches out of merit to generate in the triad periods;
• distorting the outcome of the capacity market by holding down prices since smaller EG can bid in at significantly lower prices than larger EG and TG; and
• distorting innovation in the market towards parties who can best capture this large payment.

Ofgem said that amendments to the current regime should be addressed “as a matter of priority”. It has called for input from market participants to assist in developing suitable modifications and is aiming to make a decision about the best course of action later this year.