Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) is expecting to connect 14.5GW of solar PV and low carbon generation capacity to the grid by 2023 – the equivalent of five new nuclear power stations.
The number of households and businesses in the southernEnglandand northernScotlandareas generating their own power will soar tenfold to 800,000, the distribution network operator (DNO) predicts in its business plan.
SSEPD plans to achieve this while delivering a 10% cut to the distribution network costs for customers in 2015.
Managing Director of Networks, Mark Mathieson, said: “We are leading the low carbon revolution in the energy industry by using smart grid technology and through sharing our knowledge with other Distribution Network Operators.
“We are committed to making it as easy and cost effective as possible for customers to connect their low carbon generation to our networks”.
The programme will also include the roll-out of Active Network Management - a smart grid system which manages the impact of new connections.
An SSEPD project inThamesValleyis currently trialling sophisticated modelling of the impact of photovoltaic cells as well as other low carbon technologies such as the use of electric cars at domestic properties.
Mark Mathieson added: “The learning from these innovations allows for the future operation and planning of networks to avoid costly reinforcement work resulting in better value for customers.
“We are preparing for the low carbon future and a step change in the way that households generate and consume energy. SSEPD is at the forefront of the industry in piloting innovative, cost effective solutions to enable customers to take control of their energy needs”.