Customer and community benefits continue to be the focus of SP Electricity North West’s Social Distribution System Operations (DSO) strategy, according to an independent stakeholder panel.
Following the DSO annual report, published earlier this year, the panel of independent experts highlighted the progress made following a ‘step change’ last year.
The power network operator has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months, enhancing its offerings as a DSO, supporting growth, jobs, and the transition to a greener future.
More than £114m worth of customer benefits have been delivered since 2023, with £62.4m delivered in the last 12 months. Major contributing factors to the benefits include £34.8m in avoided or deferred reinforcement to the power network utilising flexibility and technologies such as its Active Network Management.
Just under £20m came via reduced wholesale electricity costs from improved network access while other contributors included environmental benefits and assisting local authorities on their journeys to a greener future.
SP Electricity North West’s DSO team has worked closely with the independent panel, with whom they meet six times a year, embracing their feedback to improve its overall DSO strategy.
Andrew McIntosh, executive director for sustainable growth and infrastructure for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and independent chair of the panel, said: “Feedback from stakeholders at the end of year one of ED2 (2024) suggested that the company needed to do more to support its customers and stakeholders to achieve net zero.
“With the help of this panel and leaders across SP Electricity North West, the DSO team delivered a step change in performance with an improved DSO incentive score, roughly 10 per cent compared to the previous year.
“Building on these strong foundations, SP Electricity North West has continued to make progress against its DSO transition objectives.”
In the last 12 months, SP Electricity North West has continued to enhance its flexibility services, making it easier for a wide range of providers to take part. New tools and services have been developed, tackling the connections challenge and looking at proactive ways to connect customers faster and more efficiently.
The new flexibility processes ensured the business could avoid network reinforcements and new infrastructure delivery, keeping the cost to customers as low as possible.
Its DSO team also connected its first customer to its cutting-edge Active Network Management (ANM) system which has transformed how the power grid operates, unlocking network capacity, and accelerating connections by up to five years.
“We’re really pleased with the progress we’ve made in the last 12 months,” said Paul Auckland, SP Electricity North West’s Head of DSO.
“The panel, quite rightly, challenge and hold us to account, ensuring we make informed decisions that benefit customers in our region.
“We’ve enhanced a variety of services, making them more accessible and more importantly, taken on board feedback and made sure the communities we serve remain at the heart of our Social DSO strategy.
“I look forward to working with the panel over the next 12 months, as we build on the progress we’ve made.”
To view the latest panel report, visit here.
