Firm Frequency Response (FFR)
Firm Frequency Response (FFR) is our traditional frequency response suite used for balancing grid frequency in real time.
- Static FFR will continue to be actively procured until replaced with a future enduring static product.
- Dynamic FFR has been phased out, as our new dynamic response services (DC, DM, DR) offset this requirement.
Service transition
|
|
Dynamic FFR |
Static FFR |
|---|---|---|
|
FY 2022-23 |
Dynamic service (as-is) |
Static service (as-is) |
|
FY 2023-24 |
Dynamic service (as-is) |
Static service (as-is) |
|
FY 2024-25 |
Ceased |
Static service (see point below) |
- Following the delivery of Release 1, we'll explore the role that a static response service plays in our enduring suite of response and reserve products and what that static service looks like.
- Proposed that day-ahead static response auction will be pay as clear.
FFR is procured through a monthly tender process. Once service providers succeed in the pre-qualification assessment and sign onto a framework agreement, they can tender into the monthly tenders. The FFR tender closes at 5pm on the 1st business day of each month. Results and contract award notifications are published no later than 5pm on the 12th business day.
We publish the FFR tender results on the NESO data portal, and send contract award letters via email.
Providers will need to test their assets according to the testing procedure in the FFR testing guidance before being able to submit tenders. These are also accessible under market information on the data portal. For further information, please contact your account manager.
Settlements information
Our settlements team manages payments for response services.
Current documentation
Asset testing
Before an asset can participate in the FFR tenders, it must pass testing for the service which it is bidding in to. Asset testing is a series of tests designed to prove that the assets can deliver the service according to the service design. Tests are signed off by an independent technical engineer, using the template in the testing documentation.
Contractual documents
FFR's contractual documents include the latest standard contract terms and a signed framework agreement.
Market information reports
We publish the FFR post-tender reports and market information reports from TR136 onwards on the NESO data portal.
| Name | Published Sort ascending |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response Products MIR March 2023 | 1 Mar 2023 |
| Frequency Response Products MIR February 2023 | 1 Feb 2023 |
| Frequency Response Products MIR Feb 2023 | 1 Feb 2023 |
| Anonymised EBR consultation responses - Firm Frequency Response | 20 Jan 2023 |
| FFR Market Information Report Jan 2023 | 1 Jan 2023 |
| FFR Market Information Report Oct 2022 | 1 Oct 2022 |
| FFR Market Information Report Sep 2022 | 1 Sep 2022 |
| FFR Market Information Report Aug 2022 | 1 Aug 2022 |
| FFR Market Information Report Jul 2022 | 1 Jul 2022 |
| FFR Market Information Report Jun 2022v3 | 1 Jun 2022 |
FFR framework agreements
There are several different FFR framework agreements. Depending on how you register the unit delivering the service (BM or non-BM), and how the unit is made up (single or aggregated assets) will determine which framework agreement you'll need. It's possible to have multiple framework agreements.
FFR calendar and tender update
FFR tender rounds 159 (March 2023) onwards can be found in the 2023/2024 tender calendar.
Further enquiries
Get in touch with the right team within Balancing Services, who are on hand to answer any questions you may have.