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ESO
NOA Stability Pathfinder – Phase 2 updates
Phase 2 is focused on increasing Short Circuit Level in Scotland. Short Circuit Level is the amount of current that flows on the system during a fault.
As traditional coal and gas plants are phased out from Britain’s energy system, the transmission system short circuit levels are falling. Renewable generators like wind and solar connect to the grid in a different way, which doesn’t give us the same stabilising properties. So we need to find new providers to help support the system.
6 April 2022 - We are pleased to announce the result of the Stability Pathfinder Phase 2 tender has been published. This can be found under the Tender Outcome heading in the Documents section below. Further information on the tender outcome can be found here.
If you have any queries relating to the tender outcome, please contact [email protected]
Latest updates
The feasibility study stage has now concluded and the connections review work is ongoing. An updated timeline for the Phase 2 process has been published here.
Step 1: Identify stability needs across Great Britain (complete)
The System Operability Framework (SOF) highlighted the operability risks expected due to the decline in transmission connected synchronous generation over the next decade.
Step 2: Launch RFI (complete)
We launched a Request for Information (RFI) for Phase 2 in June 2020, seeking feedback on the process we’d proposed and any impacts of Covid-19.
Step 3: Launch EOI (complete)
The Expression of Interest (EOI) was an opportunity for any interested commercial and network owners to submit their solutions. The EOI window for Phase 2 closed in January 2021 and submissions have been reviewed. A summary of submissions can be found here.
Step 4: Launch feasibility study (complete)
Solutions which passed the EOI stage were subject to a feasibility study to ensure they meet the technical specifications. This included the submission of desktop-based power system simulations and manufacturer datasheets or specifications. A feasibility study summary can be found here.
Step 5: Launch connections review (complete)
Solutions without connection offers or agreements undertook the connections review process. This provided them indicative costs and timescales for new connections. The connections review scope document explains the scope of the work and associated limitations.
Step 6: Launch tender (complete)
Providers whose solutions have passed the feasibility study were invited to participate in the commercial assessment stage, where we assessed commercial solutions alongside those submitted by network owners.
Providers whose tenders were accepted were awarded contracts and can begin work on developing their solutions.
The results of the Phase 2 can be found under the Tender Outcome heading below.
Documents and materials
Key Documents
EOI Documents
Commercial Documents
Please refer to the ITT Documents section below for the latest contract terms and assessment methodology.