Future security and resilience

Part 8 Common quality requirements review

Upcoming Open Closed Decision
View submissions Submissions closed 12 November 2024
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Decision

We are progressing with seven of the nine proposed changes to Part 8 in the Code, effective 1 May 2025. The changes are to:

  • Remove the exclusion for wind-powered generating units from periodic testing requirements
  • Clarify that embedded generators must provide an asset capability statement in the format specified by the system operator.
  • Expand the under-frequency provisions to include any industry participant whose actions could cause an under-frequency event.
  • Update the requirement for a speed governor to allow for a speed governor and/or a frequency control system.
  • Remove the requirement for an excitation system while maintaining the requirement for a voltage control system.
  • Amend some of the periodic testing requirements to apply to all types of owners of grid-connected dynamic reactive compensation devices.
  • Treat energy storage systems as only generation under Part 8.

We will consider the remaining two proposals as part of a broader review of Code requirements within our Future Security and Resilience project.

Decision paper

Part 8 Code terminology and network information - Decision paper

Part 8 Code terminology and network information - Decision paper

Consultation

From 1 October 2024 to 12 November 2024, we consulted on nine proposed Code amendments. These proposals aimed to:

  • improve the common quality information available to network operators and owners about assets that are looking to connect to electricity networks, and
  • update key terms in the Code to better enable emerging technologies, such as wind and solar generation and battery energy storage systems, to be used.

This consultation paper forms part of the wider reform of the Code’s common quality requirements, being undertaken as part of our multi-year Future security and resilience work programme.

The review of Part 8 of the Code focuses on ensuring power quality on distribution networks and the transmission network is maintained within acceptable limits. As variable and intermittent generation, particularly inverter-based sources such as wind and solar, becomes more common, there is an increased risk of a declining power quality which could lead to poor outcomes for consumers.

Common quality requirements are a complex and technical area of the Code, but they can have a big impact on consumers, businesses and the power system.

Consultation papers

Addressing common quality information requirements - Consultation paper

Addressing common quality information requirements - Consultation paper
Part 8 Code amendment proposal - Consultation paper

Part 8 Code amendment proposal - Consultation paper

Submissions - Addressing common quality information requirements

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Submissions

Download all submissions (.zip)