Our events help attendees learn about how the ESO is developing new and existing markets to enable the transition to net zero, as well as provide a view of electricity market change.
Markets Forum aims to:
- Communicate our strategy for developing new and existing markets as we transition to net zero
- Hear first-hand perspective from other industry players and promote valuable discussion and perspectives ranging from the upcoming winter to full market reform
- Allow market participants the chance to discuss with the ESO any blockers or opportunities you identify
- Show market participants how ESO is co-creating with industry in how we develop, design and implement our market solutions
- Enable informal collaborative discussions amongst market participants
- Continuously improve our events so they remain valuable to all our stakeholders
Previous events
Review the Autumn 2022 Markets Forum
Thanks to all those who joined us both in-person and on the livestream at the Autumn Markets Forum event on 28 September 2022.
The forum covered:
- Short-term priorities: Approach to Winter 2022
- Medium-term priorities: Updates on new projects such as Demand Flexibility and Upward Firm Regulating reserve
- Long-term priorities: Net Zero Market Reform
- In-person breakout collaborative sessions
If you have any feedback from our Autumn event, please use the feedback form or email us.
The unanswered Slido questions from the event are found here.
Watch the recorded presentations from the event by pressing the play icon on each image or download material from each session using the link below each image.
Welcome from Head of Markets and Short-term Priorities: Approach to Winter 2022
Slide material presented in the short-term session at the event, outlining our approach to Winter 2022, including updated order of actions. Please see recording of this presentation (including the Welcome by David Wildash, Head of Markets) and Q&A above.
Medium-term Priorities: Updates on New Projects
Slide pack presented during the medium-term session at the event, covering Demand Flexibility, Firm Regulating Reserve and Enduring Auction Capacity. Please see recording of this presentation and Q&A above.
Long-term Priorities: Net Zero Market Reform
Detailed slides presented to update on Phase 4 of the Net Zero Market Reform Programme. Please see recording of this presentation and Q&A above. The material discussed in the long-term breakout session, run by Baringa, is also included in this pack.
Summary, Q&A and Close from Head of Markets
The recording of the final Q&A, hosted by Andy Dobbie, EMR Modelling Manager, and the close of the event by David Wildash, Head of Markets.
Review the March 2022 Markets Forum and Roadmap
Thanks to all those that joined us at the Markets Forum event called “Enabling Britain’s Clean Energy Future: Markets Forum and Roadmap" on 22 March 2022.
The forum covered:
- The Markets Roadmap
- Stability and reactive power markets
- Net Zero Market Reform
- Key notes from Fintan Slye
Watch the slide presentations by pressing the play icon on each image or download the slides and Q&A from each session using the link below each image.
Markets Roadmap Overview and Response & Reserve breakout session
An overview of our recently published Markets Roadmap and the slide materials from the Response & Reserve breakout session.
Stability and Reactive Power Markets – breakout session
Slide materials from our breakout session which focuses on our innovative market design projects to procure stability and reactive power services.
Net Zero Market Reform Session – Detailed Slides
Detailed slides from the session where we will present a re-cap of the project, case for market reform, outcome of our assessment of the Operation market design options, and our Phase 3 conclusions. This will be followed by a panel discussion.
Enabling Britain’s Clean Energy Future
Our Executive Director, Fintan Slye, sets out in his keynote address to the Markets Forum and Roadmap how ESO is collaborating with industry and Government to enable a Future Energy System that is secure, clean, affordable and fair for all.
Watch the concluding panel discussion
The concluding panel discussion includes Emma Pinchbeck - Energy UK, Richard Smith - Ofgem, Greg Jackson - Octopus Energy and James Frayne – Public First
ESO responses to unanswered Menti questions on Tuesday 22 March 2022
Watch the November 2021 markets event slides and download the presentations
Thanks to all those that joined us at the Markets Forum event on 18th November 2021.The forum included the following topics:
- Markets Roadmap: What next?
- Net Zero Market Reform
- Energy Code Review
Watch the slide presentations by pressing the play icon on each image or download the slides and Q&A from each session using the link below each image.
Welcome and Introduction - download slides
An introduction to the event and overview of what will be discussed during the day.
Markets Roadmap: what next? - download slides
Key milestones in our Markets Roadmap over the next 6 months and updates on Response and Reserve and our Stability Market Design innovation project.
Net Zero Market Reform - download slides
Our conclusions from Phase 2 of the Net Zero Market Reform project and our proposed framework for assessing reform options in Phase 3.
Energy Code Review - download slides
Insights into BEIS/Ofgem Energy Code Reform work and the ESO’s thinking after the recent consultation.
Watch the June 2021 markets event slides and download the presentations
We held a stakeholder event so that we could keep discussing our progress with you. This interactive Markets Forum covered the following topics:
- Net Zero Market Design
- Pathfinders: Opportunities for customers and discussing the challenges so far
- Strategic code change: Offshore transmission, storage, and the road to 2025
- Becoming a better buyer: an introduction to the Single Markets Platform
Watch the slide presentations by pressing the play icon on each image, or download the slides using the link below each image.
You can find feedback from the pathfinders update here, other Q&A sessions can be found at the end of the slide packs.
Welcome and markets updates - download slides
A re-cap on progress towards our ambitions since March with the opportunity for Q&A.
Pathfinders update - download slides
Our pathfinder projects are investigating the value of introducing 3rd Party solutions to meet system needs, that have not historically been open for commercial opportunities.
Single Markets Platform - download slides
The Single Markets Platform is a key enabler to our ambitions and will transform the customer experience of our procurement activities through facilitating the ESO in becoming a better buyer of balancing services.
Net zero market reform - download slides
In March we shared key insights from phase 1 of this project and outlined our high-level plans to progress our review of GB electricity market design for net zero throughout the rest of the year.
Strategic Code Change - download slides
During our March event you asked for more information on the impact of the Offshore Transmission Network Review, and the treatment of storage in the codes.
Watch the March 2021 workshop slides and download the presentations
Below you can find the deep dive sessions, slides and podcasts from our March workshop.
Watch the slide presentations by pressing the play icon on each image, or download the slides using the link below each image.
The road to net zero electricity markets launch - download slides
A strategic overview of how various ESO reforms come together to deliver carbon free operation by 2025.
Market reform insights - download slides
Our experts answer questions on how we are developing and delivering our market initiatives to meet future operability challenges.
Code change roadmap to 2025 - download slides
Discussing and contributing to the view of how net zero will drive reform in network codes and charging, and how the ESO will facilitate this.
Capacity Market and Contracts for Difference - download slides
An overview of potential medium term developments in policy and the market and how the ESO will respond and deliver.
Net Zero Market Design - download slides
An interactive discussion of the challenges in redesigning GB electricity markets for net zero.
A deep dive into the ESO strategy for facilitating DSO markets across the whole electricity system.
Find out what has been achieved, what’s next and how it all fits together.
Current state and our plans to co-create a coherent future for reactive procurement.
Introducing our market design and implementation plan.
Our experience with the new products and what's next.
Podcast 5: Auctions and closer to Real-Time Procurement
An insight into lessons learned and what's next.

Get involved
As the energy landscape evolves, so must we. Our ambition is to work with industry and we intend to regularly update the roadmap based on feedback from our stakeholders.
If you're interested in attending future Market Forums and receiving updates on our progress please subscribe to our Markets events mailing list.
If you’d like to work with us and help inform our future plans, please email us.