UK National Grid Launches 2.8TWh Distribution Network Flexibility Procurement

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 14, UK National Grid Distribution System Operator announced that it will include Local Voltage Management services in its annual long-term flexibility procurement for the first time, and plans to launch the procurement on September 21. This procurement round covers more than 800 flexibility zones, with a procurement demand exceeding 2.8TWh and a potential market size of up to approximately £4.6 million.

Among these, the Local Voltage Management service will initially cover 100 low-voltage distribution network areas across National Grid DSO's four licensed regions, to test the adjustment of local voltage constraints through flexible electricity use and distributed energy resources. During the same period, its largest-ever high-voltage flexibility procurement will also be conducted, covering 99 high-voltage zones.

Under the procurement arrangements, selected service providers are expected to receive contracts in January 2027, with the service execution period running from April 2027 to March 2028. The tender is open to aggregators, energy suppliers, community energy organizations, and industrial and commercial users, with no minimum asset size threshold. Participating resources may include battery energy storage, heat pumps, thermal storage equipment, and electric vehicle charging facilities.

This procurement also includes the expansion of the Demand Turn Up service and will procure the FlexUp product for the second consecutive year. Local Voltage Management marks the first time National Grid DSO has procured flexibility resources specifically for low-voltage distribution network voltage constraints.