NESO has announced an unfortunate delay to the deployment of its new Slow Reserve service, pushing the launch from October 2025 into early 2026.
Slow Reserve is a key new service designed to help balance the grid by instructing assets to increase or decrease demand/generation within 15 minutes. Its delay is a setback for market modernisation.
The existing Short-term Operating Reserve (STOR) will continue to be procured during this period. NESO has invited eligible parties to reach out to them to set up STOR access. Those already in STOR will be first in line for Slow Reserve onboarding ahead of the new date.
We have spoken with NESO and received assurances that stakeholder communication will remain a priority as they work to confirm a new timeline. We will share any further information directly with our members.
While we understand complications arise, delays like this impact the commercial confidence and investment certainty our members need. This new service is a fundamental building block for a modern, flexible grid that properly values demand.
We will continue to hold NESO to account on this timeline and advocate for the pace of change that the energy transition demands. The system must work for the assets that will underpin its stability.