Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced plans to hold an auction to secure up to 30MW of flexibility on the Western Isles and Skye.
The services will help to alleviate pressure on the local electricity network during faults or maintenance work. The distribution network operator (DNO) might otherwise be required to use diesel generation to maintain power supplies on the islands.
The auction will be hosted on the Piclo Flex platform, which SSEN joined on a commercial basis in March following a government-sponsored trial involving all six of the DNOs in Great Britain.
SSEN head of future networks Stewart Reid said: “This first procurement exercise in the Western Isles and Skye is a significant step in delivering proactive flexibility and is one of the biggest to date in Scotland. It will play a vitally important role in supporting the UK deliver its low-carbon ambitions.
“We are committed to considering flexible options where it is more cost effective than traditional network reinforcement, unlocking new opportunities for local flexibility providers and helping keep costs down for customers.
“We hope a range of local businesses, energy storage, and embedded generation take part in this exciting project.”
UK Power Networks (UKPN) recently awarded contracts worth £450,000 to six companies as part of its second tender for flexibility services on the Piclo Flex platform. The auction was the UK’s largest to date, securing 18.2MW of flexibility across eight locations.