Executive Summary

• SP Electricity North West has announced its latest flexibility tender promising more opportunities on its low voltage network than ever before at a total capacity of 779MW
• 217 locations in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria are part of the tender at a value of up to £14 million
• Iberdrola, the parent group of SP Electricity North West, noted how securing flexible capacity will further strengthen the role of smart grids in the energy transition

SP Electricity North West, the power network operator for the north west of England and distribution business of Scottish Power, has announced the launch of its latest flexibility tender, which promises more opportunities on its low voltage network than ever before.

A further 779MW of flexibility capacity – worth up to £14 million in revenue – is available across 217 locations in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria. Cumbria has the most budget available, £6m at 382MW, with Lancashire having slightly more power available at 386MW with £2m budget. Manchester has 61MW with more than £5m available.

A post from Iberdrola, the parent group of SP Electricity North West, explained that the initiative – securing flexible capacity – will further strengthen the role of smart grids in the energy transition.

“By bringing together a wide range of flexibility providers, SP Electricity North West is creating new revenue opportunities while helping to keep costs down for consumers,” the Spanish company wrote.

“The tender marks another step forward in Iberdrola’s strategy to accelerate the integration of cleaner energy sources, make more efficient use of electricity networks and build a more resilient power system,” Iberdrola added.

“Flexibility plays an integral role in developing and supporting a more sustainable energy system that benefits everyone,” said Paul George, SP Electricity North West Distribution System Operation commercial lead. “Over the last 12 months, we have scaled our flexibility offer across all voltage levels, in addition to introducing our monthly procurement tenders, to better support both network and stakeholder benefits.”

Alongside this, SP Electricity North West has launched a new flexibility tool, developed to provide supporting data to tender and flexibility requirements. The tool, available on its Open Data Portal, provides information on procurement and available revenue.

Any interested parties for the summer tender must register by August 21.

Picture credit: Iberdrola