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National Grid ESO - Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme - people walking though solar farm
Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme (ALoMCP)

Breadcrumb

  • Industry information

We’re urging non-domestic distributed generators to apply to the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme (known as ALoMCP) to claim potentially thousands of pounds to make mandatory Loss of Mains protection changes.

National Grid ESO - Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme - logo.jpg

Quick links

Key documents
What is the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme (ALoMCP)?Why should I apply for the programme?Application window timelineFast Track - are you eligible for the additional £5000 payment?How to apply for the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change ProgrammeHow many sites have applied for the programme?Who’s driving the programme?

What is the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme (ALoMCP)?

The ALoMCP is offering funding to non-domestic distributed generators that were connected before 1 February 2018 to upgrade their hardware in a move that will improve network resilience, and support wider initiatives helping meet the UK’s net zero targets.

All applicable generators will be required by the Distribution Code to have up to date protection settings by 1 September 2022 or they could be the subject of an enforcement programme. Generators are encouraged to review their Loss of Mains protection settings now to ensure they are compliant before the deadline.

Where changes are required, sites should apply to the ALoMCP to cover the cost of making changes.  As well as receiving funding, participating in the programme is the best way for generators to provide certification of their compliance.

To improve network resilience quickly, distributed generators with a capacity of at least 500kW that use Rate of Change of Frequency ( RoCoF) settings up to 0.2 Hz/second claim an extra £5,000 by applying to the fast track process before March 2021.

To understand more on programme payments, read the Payment Process Specification.

The ALoMCP is a joint initiative with the NGESO, Energy Networks Association, distribution network operators and independent distribution network operators. It does not apply to domestic and similar generation that has been connected under EREC G83. It only applies to generation connected before 01 February 2018 in accordance with EREC G59.
 

Why should I apply for the programme?

New requirements have been made in EREC G59 in the Distribution Code. All owners of generation sites must make these Loss of Mains changes by 1 September 2022. By making them in the ALoMCP, owners can take advantage of financial support to carry out the work.

Since the ALoMCP launched in September 2019, many sites have been updated to meet the new code requirements. Good progress has been made, but more changes need to be made quickly to reduce increased balancing costs and help National Grid ESO run the grid more efficiently.

Grants are available through quarterly application windows. Generators are encouraged to apply as soon as they can on the registration portal ahead of the final application deadline on 10 May 2022. The amount of funding available for each site’s changes will reduce for those sites completing the updates after 22 May 2022.

 

Application window timeline

Application-window


A fast track process has been introduced to reduce increased Loss of Mains costs resulting from the reduction in electricity demand from COVID-19 lockdown. Eligible distributed generators are urged to apply before March 2021 to claim additional funding.

Fast Track - are you eligible for the additional £5000 payment?

The fast track process offers an additional payment of £5,000 to distributed generation sites that meet specific criteria and can commit to making required Loss of Mains protection changes quickly.

Owners of sites that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply via the registration portal before March 2021:

  • minimum 500kW site registered capacity
  • Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) Loss of Mains protection type
  • up to and including 0.2 Hz/s pre-change RoCoF settings
  • less than or equal to 4 weeks lead time to complete the changes.
     

How to apply for the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme

Applying for the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme is easy.

Step 1

Check if your generation site needs to make the Loss of Mains changes. You can read this process flow to check if you do, or you can contact your local DNO if you need more support. 

Note: This Programme does not apply to domestic and similar generation that has been connected under EREC G83. It only applies to generation connected before 01 February 2018 in accordance with EREC G59.

To apply to the fast track process, make sure your site meets the specific qualifying criteria.

  • minimum 500kW but less than 5MW site registered capacity
  • Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) Loss of Mains protection type
  • up to and including 0.2 Hz/s pre-change RoCoF settings
  • less than or equal to 4 weeks lead time to complete the changes.

Step 2

Head over to the registration portal on the ENA website. We’ll be using this to assess all applications.
 

How many sites have applied for the programme?

Since the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme launched in September 2019, we've helped many sites to make the changes to meet the new settings requirements.

No. of application windows complete:

No. of applications that have been approved for funding:

Capacity this equates to:

Value of approved applications:

How many sites have completed the work?

5 of 11

5994

10.7 GW

£20.2m

3630

 

Who’s driving the programme?

The ALoMCP is led by National Grid ESO, the Energy Networks Association, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs).

The Programme Steering Group ensures that the views of key stakeholders are considered in the overall management of the Programme as well its delivery by network licensees. It makes sure that the ALoMCP is run efficiently and for the benefit of stakeholders and consumers.

Curious about what happens in the meetings? Read the minutes from the Programme Steering Group.
 

What customers say about the programme

"It’s an absolute no brainer” Martin Bleasby, EnergyForce

Read testimonial

"The funding application process itself is very straightforward. It’s an absolute no brainer."

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"There’s no reason to wait" - Colin Lockwood, WindCare

Read testimonial

"There’s no reason to wait – the funding is available now, but it won’t last forever.

Get in touch with your DNO or service provider and get it done.”

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"Take advantage while they can" - Luke Andre, Infer Energy Ltd

Read testimonial

"Aside from informing generator owners of impending grid compliance changes, the ALoCMP has proved to be a well organised transition scheme irrespective of the scale of generator.

I encourage (qualifying) generation owners to take advantage while they can!!"

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"Applying for funding is a no brainer" - Oliver Leake, Earthmill Energy

Read testimonial

“Our company manages a large fleet of wind turbines which required over 250 separate applications for ALoMCP funding.

At first this seemed like a daunting task but the user-friendly registration portal made the process of submitting the applications very easy.

Whenever I did have a question or if there was something I did not understand, the teams managing the process, at the DNOs and ENA, were friendly, helpful and guided me through the process.

Applying for funding is a no brainer as this is likely to be a mandatory change later anyway but right now the works are paid for.”

Back
National Grid ESO - Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme contact details - Man at computer

Need help?

For more information, please visit the ENA project website where you can find more details. You can use the ‘useful documents tab’ to read more Programme documents too.

Please contact your DNO if you need to speak to someone about the Programme or application process.  
 

Get in touch

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