SSEN has announced a new long-term flexibility auction, which will open at 09:00 on Tuesday 26 May.
The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for central southern England and the north of Scotland has already procured close to 1GW of flexibility during its ED2 price control period. Now, a further 708MW is being sought from its Flexibility Service Providers for this forthcoming auction. This long-term market window will be open from 09:00 26 May 2026 through to 11:00 9 June 2026 and will cover requirements in 178 different areas across both network areas.
Flexibility is the ability to shift the timing and location of both the consumption and generation of electricity. As more low carbon technologies – such as electric vehicles, solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage – connect to the grid, flexibility plays an essential role in managing constraints on the network and supporting the smart-grid technologies that are an important part of decarbonising communities and the economy.
Full details of SSEN’s tender requirements, including postcodes, can be found under ‘Current Long-Term Bidding’ on SSEN’s website. For eligible Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs), the complete bidding process and all additional information is available via the ElectronConnect platform.
Paul Fitzgerald, Flexibility Manager at SSEN Distribution, said, “This auction builds on the strong progress we’ve already made in flexibility markets. By offering up to 708MW through long term contracts, we’re giving providers greater certainty of revenue opportunities while using flexibility to manage network constraints efficiently and support the connection of low carbon technologies across our networks.
“The current global geopolitical uncertainty is having an effect on the cost of energy, so participation in Flexibility Service Markets is an important way of helping to further develop our growing home-grown, secure energy system.”