ENW launches largest-ever flexibility tender

Electricity North West (ENW) is launching its largest ever flexibility tender, with more than 1GW of flexible capacity being sought across its region.

The distribution network operator (DNO) is calling for 1,097MW in its twelfth and largest tender in its history, surpassing the 1,025MW requirement announced last year.

The DNO said it is making more than £10 million available for the provision of the services across 32 locations. It added that 9% of its primary substations will be involved in the process, with the tender being conducted via the PicloFlex platform.

Potential providers are being encouraged to sign up using the Dynamic Purchasing System, register their assets and complete the pre-qualification questionnaire by 23 June. The bidding window will then open on 10 July and close on 21 July.

Lois Clark, DSO commercial manager at Electricity North West, said: “Over the next five years we will see an increase in the requirements for flexibility and energy efficiency across the North West to accommodate more low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.

“We’re proud to have opened our flexibility service tender process to energy efficiency schemes, delivering an opportunity that provides benefits to the local power network as well as flexibility providers whilst supporting our region’s commitment to reaching net zero at the lowest cost to our customers.”

According to the Energy Networks Association, the six DNOs in Great Britain contracted a total of 1.9GW of flexibility in 2021/22, having tendered for at least 3.6GW.