Northern Powergrid is set to launch its spring flexibility services tender.

This comes as flexibility is quickly becoming an effective tool to help network operators manage future energy demand.

The electricity operator for North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire plans to purchase 5MW of capacity during the latest tender round from customers in 19 targeted locations across its operating area.

These customers will be able to increase or decrease their energy consumption and will be paid for providing this service.

The deadline to express interest in the spring tender round is Wednesday, May 1.

The company estimates that demand will more than double in the next 20 years as more of its customers turn to electricity to power their homes, businesses and transport.

Maurice Lynch, head of Flexibility Services at Northern Powergrid, said: “Following a successful Autumn 2023 tender which saw us secure contracts with providers such as Octopus Energy and Equiwatt and defer £1.4m in potential network reinforcement costs, we’re pleased to be offering customers in Yorkshire and the North East the opportunity to participate in our Spring tender round.

“We’re committed to developing markets for flexibility in our region and processes that will allow customers to participate with confidence and ease.

"Our ‘flexibility first’ approach means that we’ll always deploy flexible solutions as an alternative traditional network reinforcement, wherever it’s possible and cost-effective to do so."