Edinburgh-based energy company aims for share of £350m Grid balancing payments

An Edinburgh-based demand-side energy company has appointed a new head of supply as it prepares to launch its new commercial energy supply offering later this year.

Rachel Maitland, who previously held positions at SSE and Scottish Power specialising in commercial contracts takes on the newly created role.

She will oversee the implementation, launch and ongoing management of Flexitricity’s new service offering which is due to launch later this year.

Swiss-owned Flexitricity say its new energy supply service which will open up the ‘financially lucrative balancing mechanism’ – one of the tools National Grid uses to balance electricity supply and demand close to real time – to selected customers for the first time.

Maitland, said: “There is the opportunity within my new role to see the real time changes in the industry that have been prompted by our company and that’s not something you come across in every job role. 

“This is an innovative new service that both industry and customers are not yet fully aware of. One of my key roles within the business will be to educate partners, the industry and customers. Those who continue to sit idle and ‘do things as they’ve always done them’ will be left behind as the industry continues to move around them.”

Initially the energy supply service will be aimed at businesses and public sector organisations, particularly those operating community energy schemes, combined heat and power (CHP) generators and cold stores, as well as battery developers.

Ron Ramage, Flexitricity chief executive, said: “By utilising the flexibility of industrial assets, we can give its customers a slice of the premium supply and demand bidding system, the Balancing Mechanism, which can equate to around £350 million per year.

“At the same time, our service will help cut the cost of balancing the National Grid for both the energy user and the Grid itself by providing greater flexibility and agility.”

3 Jul 2018