UK Power Networks releases open data on capacity visibility

UK Power Networks has launched a new open data portal on capacity at the interface with the national transmission network.

The new portal, aimed primarily at renewable energy developers, should enable them to see how much spare capacity is available at each grid supply point and how many projects are ahead of them in the queue, as well as what they are and whether there are fast-track flexible connections available, in a single place.

With this, developers of energy projects including renewable generation and batteries can make a more informed decision about when and where to site new projects, with more transparency and openness to the connections process and an integrated view of the transmission network.

“Customers have called on us to de-mystify the available capacity at the interface with the transmission network and their place in the queue to access it,” says Matt White, head of network strategy at UK Power Networks’ DSO.

“This is what we’re delivering, putting new datasets based on customer needs on our open data portal. It will drive more targeted and efficient connections decisions for our customers.”

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The release comes on the heels of new rules from the regulator Ofgem to kick out ‘zombie projects’ that are not progressing and stopping other ‘shovel ready’ schemes from being built.

With the new rules, stalled or speculative projects should be forced out of the queue and the connection for viable projects sped up.

Peter Clutton-Brock, CEO of energy tech platform Yottar, which is designed to help energy asset developers understand where there is spare capacity on the electricity networks, says that the new dashboard is “an important first step” in opening up information on grid connection queues.

“Putting more data out in the public domain will help developers and services like Yottar identify and select sites where they can connect sooner and at lower cost.”