Citizens Advice response to the Ofgem Call for Input: Future of Distributed Flexibility 2023

Citizens Advice response to the Ofgem Call for Input: Future of Distributed Flexibility 2023 166 KB

We welcome the proposals to establish a market platform for distributed flexibility. The current market and platform arrangements are too disparate, lack standardisation, and are not easy to use. The result is an overly slow progression to developing an efficient flexibility market with the maximum numbers of participants.

The development of the new market platform should be undertaken at pace to ensure that the fullest benefits from distributed flexibility can be realised for Great Britain’s energy system and its consumers. 

We are, however, concerned by the lack of analysis as to how the transition from current arrangements will be achieved. The development of an efficient market for flexibility, including trading platforms and standardisation of contracts, procurement, and dispatch, cannot be left in abeyance until the new platform is designed. 

Ofgem will need to work closely with the Energy Networks Association Open Networks project and other stakeholders to ensure that progress in market development continues as rapidly as possible. Ideally, a timeline and detailed plan should be established to show how the current market platforms and trading arrangements can evolve and converge with the new platform.