System Operator seeks BM and non-BM reactive power providers for South Wales and Mersey

National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has opened the process of contracting for reactive power services over the next two winters, publishing ‘requests for information’ from providers.

For the first time the service can be offered by providers that do not participate in the Balancing Market (BM) but they must be sited in specific parts of the network, as reactive power is a location-specific service. The ESO needs providers in the Mersey area and the South Wales and Bristol area.

The service will be procured from 1 April to 31 March in 2019/20 and in 2020/21.

The deadline for submission of information is 5 November. NGET will assess the submissions and decide to  tender or review alternative procurement options by 3 December. It against the selection criteria and reply by 3 December with the .

Responses to the Mersey area and  South Wales and Bristol requests for information should be sent to  [email protected] by 5pm on 5 November.