On 29 March Eirgrid published its long-awaited consultation on the Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) System Services Volume Capped Competitive Procurement. It provided some welcome detail on the next steps for DS3, but there are residual questions outstanding which make it difficult for current investors to ascertain risks on their projects.
The DS3 programme seeks to increase the allowable System Non Synchronous Penetration (SNSP) up to 75% by 2020, reducing the curtailment of wind to approximately 5% per annum. The programme started in 2011 and has taken time to arrive at this point, moving through stages of regulated and interim arrangements. DS3 is progressing towards a competitive enduring approach with the recent volume uncapped and now volume capped procurement process.