Update for electricity industry stakeholders
On 20 November 2024, SONI submitted proposed changes to the Load Frequency Control Block Operating Agreement (LFCBOA) to the Utility Regulator, requesting approval. This document was published by SONI and Eirgrid for consultation on 24 July 2024.
The Load Frequency Control Block Operational Agreement applies to the Block of Ireland and Northern Ireland and contains the agreement required by the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 of 2 August 2017 establishing a guideline on electricity transmission system operation (SOGL).
SOGL Article 3 of the LFCBOA, sets out the ramping restrictions for active power output in accordance with SOGL Article 137(3) and (4).
The LFCBOA document proposal was updated to reflect the increase in the all-island interconnector ramp rate from 10MW/min to 15MW/min, following trials by both Transmission System Operators from 5 March 2024 to 28 May 2024. This increase in ramp rate is in anticipation of the Greenlink Interconnector becoming operational in early 2025.
Following consideration of SONI’s proposals and further engagement with the company, we issued a decision letter approving their proposed changes to the LFCBOA on 10 December 2024, in accordance with the SOGL