Consumer-Led Clean Power: ‘How to Unlock Consumer-Led Flexibility for Clean Power 2030’ Report

ADE: Demand represents the views of those who are investing in the energy infrastructure we can’t see - the systems and software and consumer trials that will lower bills by 2030 and save the Government cold hard cash in the form of avoided pylons, wires, and generation capacity. This does not mean it needs less focus than physical infrastructure. Over the last six months, based on our years of experience advocating for the consumer-led flexibility (CLF) sector, we have identified the foundational pillars, core objectives, and concrete actions needed to unlock at least a fivefold increase in CLF by 2030. With support from Energy Systems Catapult, we have undertaken detailed engagement with industry and non-industry stakeholders to develop the recommendations in this report with the aim of supporting DESNZ, Ofgem, and NESO in their writing of the low-carbon flexibility roadmap.

The consumer-led flexibility sector is somewhat unique in the clean power sector in that we believe we can scale at pace without any need for subsidy. However, we do require an investment of time and a coordinated commitment to expedited change that has to date eluded the sector. Thus, while there are 5 pillars, 13 objectives, and 74 individual actions, we consider one pillar to be important above all others. Prioritising strong leadership for the sector and public bodies whose actions impact its growth is absolutely critical. We can no longer take an ad hoc and segmented approach to governance. Although all levers towards unlocking flexibility will not move simultaneously, we must ensure we move them with awareness of the interdependencies that exist between them. Therefore, we recommend the establishment of a consumer-led flexibility Delivery Board co-chaired by a senior DESNZ official and an industry representative, or Consumer-Led Flexibility Champion. To ease the implementation burden, the technical secretariat role could be undertaken by a trade body, as was the case for the Connections Reform Delivery Board. Without such a body, consumer-led flexibility is liable to fall victim to mistakes of the past where milestones have been missed, segmentation reigned, and accountability failed.

As ever, industry looks forward to working with Government, Ofgem, System Operators, and Elexon to deliver an energy system that puts consumers at its heart - lowering bills, boosting security and achieving Clean Power by 2030. The following report and recommendations can go a long way to realising that vision, on the condition that we have the ambition to rise to the effort.