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The standard flexibility contract agreed upon by distribution network operators (DNOs) and the Electricity System Operator (ESO) at National Grid has received an update based on feedback from industry stakeholders, including Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The contract was developed as part of the Energy Network Association’s (ENA) Open Networks project to provide a consistent core agreement for those wishing to provide flexibility services.
The ENA said the contract, which is already in use by all six of the DNOs in Great Britain, has been refreshed and streamlined offer more transparency and encourage wider participation in flexibility markets, in particular by aggregators. It said the core contract has been simplified to provide greater alignment with the ESO’s approach, whilst its various clauses have also been made more accessible.
Farina Farrier, head of the Open Networks project at the ENA, said: “The UK is already a world leader when it comes to energy flexibility and as part of the UK’s commitment to net zero, the whole of the energy industry is behind making it easier and more accessible to work with network operators.
“We’ve got lots of work ahead of us but by really focusing on providing a consistent, accessible way of working together, we can maintain that world-leading position and power towards net zero emissions.”
Alex Howison, flexible solutions manager at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, added: “It’s brilliant to be able to take the lead in actioning another positive step towards a whole industry standard agreement being finalised. Flexibility is critical for enabling the UK to reach net zero and is vital to help customers get the most from new technologies – while helping networks to manage their systems better and plan investment.
“The momentum ENA’s Open Networks project has built, and the pivotal role it plays in the energy transition, will continue into 2021 and this will be another year of action and delivery for the flexibility services workstream.”
A public consultation of the next version of the contract is due to take place in August ahead of its launch at the end of this year.
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