The ISO has published a consultation paper outlining the proposed methodology that will be followed when undertaking ESS studies in the NWIS to inform procurement of SRESS for 2026-27.

The paper details the methodology ISO proposes to conduct power system studies necessary to determine the required headroom for credible system conditions and configurations in the procurement period. The paper also discusses different approaches to determining the largest credible contingencies considered in ESS studies under different network configurations.

The paper does not include study results or details of ISO’s approach to ESS procurement.

Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback by 5pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026.

Submissions on the stakeholder consultation questions will be considered and published on the ISO’s website. ISO will publish stakeholder responses and its finalised ESS studies methodology.

EventDateStatus
Publish consultation paper and invitation for submissions7 July 2026Complete
Public submission period7 July – 21 July 2026In progress
Publish responses to stakeholder submissions and final ESS studies methodology4 August 2026Not started
Pre-negotiate ESS contractsAugust – September 2026Not started
Seek proposals for ESSSeptember – October 2026Not started
Consultation on Draft Decision for ESSOctober 2026 – November 2026Not started
Final Decision on ESSNovember 2026Not started
*Indicative dates only, subject to change dependent on complexity of issues raised in public submission periods

Submissions

Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback by 5pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026.

All submissions received are taken into account in decision-making.

Submissions must be received by the deadline. Please provide submissions electronically via our online form.

SUBMIT ONLINE

Documents related to this proposal

Consultation Paper 2026-27 ESS Studies Methodology V1.0