ENW seeks ‘mutual power exchange’ with neighbouring DNOs

Electricity North West (ENW) has applied for £35 million to carry out seven projects to boost the resilience of its network.

One of the schemes would allow for a “mutual power exchange” with neighbouring distribution network operators including Northern Powergrid and Scottish Power should either network require it to restore power to customers more quickly.

As reported by Utility Week earlier this month, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is also proposing to implement measures to allow its customers to receive power from neighbouring network operator SP Energy Network during outages caused by storms.

ENW has submitted its proposals to Ofgem’s business plan reopener which was launched following Storm Arwen in 2021.

Other proposals would also see ENW install more automation on the low voltage power network, improving visibility of issues and restoration times.

Targeted sections of the overhead network would also be moved underground while more interconnectors linking key parts of its network would be installed to improve resilience.

Paul Killilea, ENW’s asset and investment director, said: “Storm Arwen had a major disruptive impact on many of our customers through long duration outages and restoration challenges due to the continuing weather conditions.

“We participated in industry reviews as well as carrying out our own review to improve how we can respond, speaking with hundreds of customers who were affected and that has undoubtedly improved our response in recent storms.

“We’ve implemented a lot of lessons learned and while our network is built to and in many cases surpasses industry standards, we recognise there are various ways we can improve it even further in those areas that suffer most when the bad weather hits.

“As well as carrying out an ongoing, yearly, resilience programme in response to the climate change and variable weather, this reopener allows us to submit enhanced proposals which

ENW has requested funding for:

• A proactive programme of overhead line strengthening and undergrounding in areas vulnerable to storm damage
• Installing new interconnectors with neighbouring networks which would help mitigate the impacts of future storm damage in either area
• Further restoration technology on its low voltage network
• Planned resilience schemes in Coniston and Alston, two areas which were severely affected by Storm Arwen.

“If approved, the enhancements we would make would undoubtedly transform the way the power network responds to storm events, and we look forward to the response from Ofgem,” Killilea added.