Addressing Dispatch Down
In December 2024 SONI (System Operator Northern Ireland) put forward a draft action plan to address dispatch down in Northern Ireland (available: here). The draft action plan has been put together by the SONI Dispatch Down Working Group.
Dispatch down is an instruction to renewable electricity generation to produce less electricity than it can or to shut down entirely. This is to ensure the operational security of the grid. The result is that indigenously produced electricity is being turned off which reduces the investment case in investing in renewables in Ireland. Under the Clean Energy Package Regulation (EU) 2019/943, Article 13(7) compensation must be paid and backdated from 1 January 2020 for non-market based ‘redispatch’ of renewables with firm access. It would also be expected that the high cost of lost output will invariably be reflected in renewable support schemes going forward for assets without firm access. Taken together, this sends an important signal to reduce high levels of dispatch down as a matter of urgency.
The Electricity Association of Ireland are very supportive of the actions outlined by SONI in the draft plan, which include improving grid operational procedures, completing new grid infrastructure projects and encouraging demand flexibility. Essential to this plan is the completion of the North-South Interconnector, which will help move generation capacity from North to South and visa versa depending on where there is greater electricity demand. According to SONI’s website the interconnector is due for completion in 2026.
Additional actions that can be implemented in tandem with new infrastructure being developed were outlined in the EAI response in, September 2024, to SEMC consultation 24-059 on Dispatch Down reporting requirements. these actions include:
- Increased transparency in reporting, including locational data being published. This will help with strategic investment decisions for new demand and infrastructure. This includes reporting on the 40 individual constraint groups on the Island of Ireland.
- Increasing electricity demand through encouraging electrification of heat, transport and industry which can use this excess renewable generation.
- Encouraging flexible demand, including demand turn up to allow for industrial demand to track high levels of renewables.
- Continuing investment into system services which can facilitate higher levels of renewable penetration. This will be important as we transition from the existing regulated arrangements to daily auctions for system services.
- Allow for hybrid connection points where multiple technology types can connect through the same connection point – improving the efficiency of existing grid infrastructure.
- Develop a firm access policy which ensures that renewable projects are given priority dispatch where feasible.
EAI look forward to contributing to the discussion at the SONI’s stakeholder engagement session this month.