National Grid’s Distribution System Operator (DSO) has announced its most ambitious long-term flexibility tender to date. It includes a new Demand Turn Up service, “FlexUp”, aimed at aligning local demand with periods of high renewable generation export.
The DSO is procuring now for services delivered in future years, with the majority of delivery between April 2026 – March 2027. Trades will open on 29 September and close on 17 November, with successful bids announced in January 2026.
The opportunity is being offered for 96 high voltage (HV) zones and 1,144 low voltage (LV) zones, which the DSO says covers more than 4.5 million customers. DSO says the FlexUp service will enable smaller generation and storage schemes (under 5MW) to be integrated into the distribution network more quickly, while maintaining the integrity of broader connections reform for larger schemes.
Tender requirements are now live on both the Connected Data Portal and the Market Gateway platform, with long-term trades fully accessible via Market Gateway for the first time. This integration offers a streamlined user experience and improved bidding efficiency for market participants. The services are fully stackable across the DSO’s portfolio of products, and across different voltage levels.
Cathy McClay, Managing Director at National Grid DSO, said: “This is a landmark moment for our flexibility markets. We’ve enhanced our processes and simplified the user interface to make bidding smoother and more efficient than ever. We’re also expanding opportunities for providers, making it easier to participate and helping communities benefit from cleaner, smarter energy.”