The Utility Regulator has published an Information Paper that provides details on a 2025/2026 Forward Work Programme project - 'Preparation for potential Firm Access Review in 2026/2027’.
The Information Paper provides technical information which will be of most interest to stakeholders in the electricity industry.
The level of Firm Access granted to renewable generators affects the compensation paid to them when they have to stop generating electricity (being ‘dispatched down’). This is due to localised constraints on the electricity network, as the electricity they generate cannot be transmitted elsewhere.
Under the present allocation system, not all connecting generators have Firm Access to the network, until relevant network development projects are completed. Therefore they are not entitled to compensation when they are ‘dispatched down’ due to constraints.
Within the Information Paper, we have outlined an approach focusing on the importance of reducing the high levels of dispatch down experienced by generators, alongside consideration of changes to how Firm Access is granted.
We have reviewed issues such as constraint levels, costs of Firm Access, profitability of generators, network development and the legal and policy context. We will continue to work on this topic over the next year, following the principles outlined in this Information Paper.
Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.