Flexible connections

What is a Flexible Connection?

A flexible connection is one where your import/export capacity is restricted under certain conditions such as faults or network stress. They differ from a regular connection request which will provide a set steady supply.

Flexible connections can be temporary or permanent and there are different types of flexible connections available. More information on the different types is below.

Why do we offer Flexible Connections?

As demand for electricity continues to grow, it can put pressure on the existing infrastructure and limit available capacity leading to constraints, where the network doesn’t have enough capacity to support new connections without reinforcement.

Flexible connections are a way to unlock available capacity more quickly and efficiently. By allowing your connection to operate within defined limits during certain network conditions, we can often connect you faster and at a lower cost.

Flexible Connections are optional for customers but can provide benefits such as a quicker 'power on' date (eg. If you were able to operate with a timed flexible connection because you only needed power overnight when demand across the network was lower.) OR a cheaper quote if the flexible connection can avoid or defer any network reinforcement your connections would otherwise need.

Types of Flexible Connections

• System Normal Connection - Your connection operates normally most of the time but may be reduced or disconnected when there’s a first circuit outage on the network. 
• Export Limited Connection - You can install more generation than you’re allowed to export, but your export to the network is capped at an agreed level.
• Import Limited Connection -You can install more demand than your agreed capacity, but the amount of electricity you import from the network is restricted.
• Timed Connection -Your connection capacity is only available during certain agreed times, with restrictions applied outside those periods.
• Active Network Management (ANM) - A smart control system automatically adjusts your import or export in real time, based on available network capacity. We're currently rolling out ANM zones. 

ANM Constraint Management Zones

We are carrying out a phased rollout of our Active Network Management System, responding to the needs of our customers. We will publish details of Planned and Active constraint management zones as we progress through this phased rollout.

Contract Management Zone	Voltages Covered	Status	Target/Actual go live date	Rational/ Need case	Number of actively managed distributed energy resources within zone	Capacity of distributed energy resources actively managed within zone
Chadderton BSP	33kV	Active	December 2024	System Testing	Active: 1 Planned: 0	Active: 20MW Planned: 0MW
Whitegate GSP	132kV	Active	December 2024	System Testing Flexible Connection – Transmission Demand & Generation Constraint	Active: 1 Planned: 2	Active: 20MW Planned: 76.9MW
Wrightington BSP	33kV	Active	November 2025	Flexible Connection – Demand Constraint	Active: 1 Planned: 0	Active: 30MW Planned: 0MW
Penwortham West GSP -Stanah GSP	132kV	Active	November 2025	Flexible Connection – Demand Constraint	Active: 1 Planned: 0	Active: 30MW Planned: 0MW
Burrow Beck Primary	11kV	Planned	June 2026	Flexible Connection – Demand Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 1	Active: 0MW Planned: 11.5MW
Bredbury GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Demand & Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 4	Active: 0MW Planned: 280.6MW
Kearsley GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 1	Active: 0MW Planned: 11.0MW
Kirkby GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 2	Active: 0MW Planned: 80.9MW
Penwortham GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 4	Active: 0MW Planned: 89.2MW
Rochdale GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Demand & Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 1	Active: 0MW Planned: 30.3MW
South Manchester GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Demand & Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 3	Active: 0MW Planned: 210.0MW
Stalybridge GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Demand & Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 2	Active: 0MW Planned: 50MW
Washway Fm GSP	132kV	Planned	TBC	Flexible Connection – Transmission Generation Constraint	Active: 0 Planned: 1	Active: 0MW Planned: 49.9MW