Written question WQ89853

The Electricity System Operator is responsible for managing the overall matching of demand and generation on Great Britain’s electricity system. Its Future Energy Scenarios identify the level of generation and flexibility the system requires. Welsh Government has produced the Future Energy Networks for Wales report, which identifies increased flexibility as an important part of the system. This work identified that the existing pumped hydropower storage assets will be used to a greater extent rather than indicating a clear case for new capacity. The conclusions of the report are now being considered in greater detail with network companies.

Flexibility includes a range of technologies including demand side response and different methods of storage. The UK Government is responsible for incentivising demand side actions and storage. From the Welsh perspective, the local energy plans each local authority is completing will identify opportunities for new flexibility projects. Welsh Government is working with local network operators to promote the opportunities identified through these plans to better understand the flexibility requirements of a resilient system with high levels of renewable generation.