Northern Powergrid Releases Comprehensive Distribution Network Options Assessment Report

Northern Powergrid has released its Distribution Networks Options Assessment report. The comprehensive assessment provides important insights into the development of Northern Powergrid’s distribution network.

The report details how Northern Powergrid plans to address future demand for electricity, driven by the uptake of low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles and heat pumps, through a combination of flexibility and investment in vital local electricity networks.

Wherever possible, Northern Powergrid plans to adopt a flexibility-first approach to maximize available capacity and optimize network performance without the need for traditional reinforcement. Northern Powergrid plans to invest more than £2.8 billion over the next five years to ensure its network is fit for the future and can evolve in line with the needs of the customers and communities they serve.

Commenting on the publication of the report, Richard Mandeya, system forecasting engineer at Northern Powergrid, said: "Our Distribution Network Option Assessment reflects our commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement. By openly sharing our analysis and insights, we aim to facilitate more informed discussions and decision that benefits our customers, our communities and our network users."

Highlights of the report include:

     How Northern Powergrid’s decision making has been informed by the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios and Common Evaluation Methodology tool.

     Information on seven primary substations forecast to become overloaded during the next five-year RIIO-ED2 price control period from 2023 to 2028.

Details of how outcomes from Northern Powergrid’s autumn 2023 flexibility services tender informed Northern Powergrid’s intervention and investment decisions.

Northern Powergrid’s Distribution Network Option Assessment report is available on their Open Data Portal. Northern Powergrid encouragea stakeholders to review the document and provide feedback to inform future iterations.