Unified system set to lower prices and boost renewables
A single UK power market is to commence on 1 April when the Scottish transmission network is connected into the England and Wales grid. The new UK-wide electricity market, Betta, will open the vast wind, wave and tidal power potential of the northern reaches of the UK with plans to limit the charges renewable generators will have to pay to the National Grid to transmit electricity across Britain.
Betta will create a single wholesale electricity market in UK, with National Grid Transco, which currently operates the transmission network in England and Wales, becoming the system operator for the whole network.
UK Energy Minister Mike O’Brien said, “A new Great Britain electricity market, bringing together Scotland’s transmission networks and the grid in England and Wales will push prices down for Scottish consumers and open up lucrative new markets for Scottish generators.”