The flexibility market operated by National Grid’s Distribution System Operator (DSO) is entering a transformative new phase with the launch of its most ambitious long-term flexibility tender to date.
Trades will open on 29 September and close on 17 November, with successful bids announced in January 2026. The DSO is procuring now for services delivered in future years, with the majority of delivery between April 2026 – March 2027.
This tender sets a new benchmark in scale, accessibility, and innovation — marking a major step forward in how flexibility services are procured and delivered. All services are fully stackable across the DSO’s portfolio of products, and across different voltage levels.
Key highlights:
- Record number of zones: 96 High Voltage (HV) zones and 1,144 Low Voltage (LV) zones
- Customer reach: More than 4.5 million customers now located in open zones
Tender requirements are now live on both the Connected Data Portal and the Market Gateway platform, with long-term trades fully accessible via Market Gateway for the first time. This integration offers a streamlined user experience and improved bidding efficiency for market participants.
As part of this tender, National Grid is introducing a new Demand Turn Up service, “FlexUp”, aimed at aligning local demand with periods of high renewable generation export. By reducing export constraints and enhancing network stability, FlexUp enables faster integration of smaller generation and storage schemes (under 5MW) into the distribution network. This initiative supports faster, more efficient integration of local energy projects while maintaining the integrity of broader connections reform for larger schemes.
Cathy McClay, Managing Director at National Grid DSO, said, “This is a landmark moment for our flexibility markets. We’ve enhanced our processes and simplified the user interface to make bidding smoother and more efficient than ever. We’re also expanding opportunities for providers, making it easier to participate and helping communities benefit from cleaner, smarter energy.”
