List of all BSC Modifications
These pages list all Modifications issued since 2001. Modifications are raised to introduce changes that would alter any part of the BSC or any Code Subsidiary Documents (CSDs) or BSC Systems impacted by the proposed changes.
Test Modification
P496 Defining DIP Manager Data and how it can be shared
This Modification will clarify in the DIP Rules that due to the transactional nature of data in Common Blocks, this data shall be defined as DIP Manager Data for service management and issue resolution. Establish a mechanism for sharing DIP Manager Data, including from Messages’ Common Blocks, with relevant stakeholders like Code Bodies, ensuring a clear legal basis for sharing personal information, such as MPAN data, when necessary.
P483 Enabling Asset Metering for Non-Half Hourly Boundary Metering Systems
The implementation of BSC Modification P375 ‘Settlement of Secondary BM Units using metering behind the site Boundary Point’ allows Asset Metering System Identifier (AMSID) Pairs to participate in Settlement by utilising metering situated behind the Boundary Point. However, it requires that the associated MSID Pair—the Boundary Point Metering System—must be settled Half-Hourly. This requirement prevents most domestic consumers from participating in flexibility services with smart devices, as the majority are not half-hourly settled, and consumers, along with their Virtual Lead Parties (VLPs), cannot mandate changes to the meter’s Measurement Class.
P482 Enable flexible splitting of BSC Agent services and establishing contracts for MHHS Delivery
To support the transition to Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS), Elexon must sign BSC Agent contracts for the operation of new services. This Modification seeks to allow more flexibility in the requirements for procurement of BSC Agents for the SVAA services at MHHS go-live. It will provide the option of having these new MHHS systems operated by the service providers who developed them, while the currently appointed Supplier Volume Allocation Agent (SVAA) continues to operate legacy processes
P481 Enable Elexon to be the Market Facilitator Delivery Body
This Modification seeks to extend Elexon’s vires to take up the role of Market Facilitator Delivery Body, to implement Ofgem’s decision published on 29 July 2024.
P480 Publication of regional demand forecast data to fulfil ESRS Reporting requirements
P480 seeks to facilitate the Electricity System Restoration Standard (ESRS) requirements to publish the day-ahead peak demand forecast for each restoration region and the demand restored in each restoration region published hourly during a System Restoration on BMRS (Elexon’s Insights Solution Platform). P480 is a consequential Modification to GC0156 ‘Facilitating the Implementation of the Electricity System Restoration Standard’.
This Proposed Solution is to make changes to BSC system and BSC Section Q ‘Balancing Mechanism Activities’ and Code Subsidiary Documents to implement these provisions outlined in GC0156.
P479 Amendments to the Credit Cover calculations
This Modification seeks to amend the Credit Cover calculations to make more accurate and operationally efficient estimates of Energy Indebtedness, using data available closer to real time.
P478 Implementation of MHHS Arrangements
This Modification proposes changes to the BSC to enable the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) arrangements.
P477 Data Protection Provisions for Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement
The purpose of this Modification is to address the need for personal information sharing in the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), once the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) arrangements are operational.
P476 Exemption from MHHS Requirements for SMS Supplier Qualification
P476 sought to allow the Performance Assurance Board to have the authority to exempt Suppliers from Smart Segment Qualification obligations. This would allow a Supplier operating in the advanced market segment (that does not have the system, processes or controls in place to meet these obligations) without a specific cost associated to be exempted from Design, Test and Build.
P475 Allowing All Storage Sites to set and fix their own Production/Consumption Flags
The purpose of this Modification is to address the issue of storage BM Units flipping between Production (P) and Consumption (C) statuses. This flipping leads to significant financial challenges for parties managing large storage units. The proposal seeks to allow storage BM Units to fix their P/C status, thereby mitigating these challenges.
P474 Governance, funding and operation of the DIP
This Modification proposes changes to the BSC to enable the ongoing governance, funding and operation of the Data Integration Platform (DIP).
P473 Correcting inconsistencies in the P415 Legal Text
Elexon received feedback from industry on the P415 Legal Text post Ofgem approval on 6 October 2023, as well as internal feedback during work with service providers to design the system changes required to implement Modification P415. This revealed that the P415 Legal Text does not correctly describe the intended solution for P415 as well as some inconsistencies and omissions.
P472 Amendment to provisions for Parties to bring claims against BSC Agents in BSC Section E
P471 Amendment to BSC Section E to allow more flexibility in procurement of BSC Agents
To allow more flexibility in the requirements for procurement of BSC Agents, to allow the option of having these systems operated by the service provider who developed them (at least for the duration of the transition period), while the currently-appointed Supplier Volume Allocation Agent (SVAA) continues to operate legacy processes.
P470 Protecting the Imbalance Price from IOLC related distortions
P470 seeks to reprice Offer prices in the Imbalance Settlement Price calculation where those Offers were impacted by price restrictions introduced by the Inflexible Offers Licence Condition (IOLC).
P469 Credit Default Refusal and Rejection Period
P469 proposal sought to delay the Credit Default Refusal and Rejection Periods. This change would give parties a two-hour window from the Level 2 Credit Default notification until the time when any Energy Contract Volume Notifications (ECVN) related to a defaulting party are rejected.
To implement the proposed Solution, this Modification aims to change BSC Section M, 3.3.3 a (i) and (ii).
P468 Enabling Elexon to support the (currently in draft) Electricity Support Payments and Levy Regulations 2024
P467 Enduring Solution in an event of a Gas Deficit Emergency (GDE)
This is a follow on Modification from Issue 105 and provides an enduring solution in an event of a Gas Deficit Emergency (GDE).
P466 BSC Section N Modernisation
This Modification seeks to update BSC Section N ‘Clearing Invoicing and Payment’ to support the effective running of the Funds Administration Agent (FAA). The Modification will align the BSC with Elexon’s updated financial systems and modern banking practices to increase the efficiency of service provided to industry.
P465 Correction to P415 legal text to amend Credit Cover requirements for Virtual Trading Parties
This Modification is required to correct an error in the approved legal drafting for P415. This Proposal will ensure that Credit Cover requirements for Virtual Trading Parties (VTPs) correctly take into account the energy volumes (‘Deviation Volumes’) that VTPs trade in wholesale markets, which was the intention of the P415 Workgroup.
P464 Housekeeping and updating BSC references to “Consumer Scotland”, “Generation Curtailment Validation Committee” and “GCVC”
This housekeeping Modification replaces references to “Citizens Advice Scotland” with “Consumer Scotland”. It also replaces any references to “Network Gas Supply Emergency Settlement Validation Committee” and “NGSESVC” to “Generation Curtailment Validation Committee” and “GCVC”. Additionally, it also corrects 5 non-material errors and inconsistencies across 5 Sections of the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC).
P463 Introduce a Standard Change Process
To introduce a new change process – a ‘Standard Change’ process – into the BSC arrangements that would allow for certain, low risk, predictable and repeatable pre-authorised changes to be implemented without following the existing Change Proposal or Modification procedures.
P462 The removal of subsidies from Bid Prices in the Balancing Mechanism
This Modification aims to reduce consumer cost potentially caused by the interaction between the BM and support mechanism arrangements. This shall be done by removing distortion of support mechanisms (such as Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and the Renewables Obligation (RO) schemes) to reduce actions being taken outside of consumer cost order when following the Bid stack merit order.
The proposed solution for consideration by an industry Workgroup is to modify the equation BSC Section T ‘Settlement and Trading Charges’ paragraph 3.11 to pay the lost support mechanism.
P461 Accurate Reporting of Customers Delivered Volumes to Suppliers
The details reported to Suppliers when a customer delivers a Bid Offer Acceptance (BOA) through a Virtual Lead Party (VLP) do not reflect any adjustments made to that data in Settlement. This Modification proposes to address this issue by amending the values reported to Suppliers.
P460 Amend the responsibility to propose and consult on a MHHS Migration Plan
P460 aims to change responsibility for proposing, consulting on and obtaining approval of the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) Migration Plan from BSCCo to the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement Programme (MHHSP).
P459 Allowing different Supplier Agents to be appointed to Import and Export MSIDs
This Modification would allow Suppliers to appoint different Supplier Volume Allocation (SVA), Meter Operator Agents (MOAs) and Data Collectors (DCs) for the Import and Export Metering System Identifiers (MSIDs) where Data Communications Company (DCC) adopted smart meters are installed. Being able to appoint different Supplier Agents across Import/Export MSIDs will remove a barrier preventing the use of Export MSIDs for small-scale micro-generation, which currently disbenefits Suppliers, sales and operators of micro-generation, and electricity consumers.
P458 Introducing Data Controller and Processor Obligations in the BSC for MHHS Testing
The purpose of this Modification is to address the need for personal information sharing in the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), specifically in the context of the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) testing. The current BSC General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data protection provisions were not designed to allow the sharing of personal information, which has now become necessary for the planned MHHS testing.
P457 Replace the Electricity Arbitration Association with the London Court of International Arbitration
P457 proposes to remove the Electricity Arbitration Association (EAA) from the BSC and replace with the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) to deliver better value for money and service.
P456 Enable Elexon to procure ancillary Technology Services for use by BSC Agents
Removing barriers in BSC Section E that would prevent Elexon updating BSC Agent contracts, therefore enabling BSC Agents to use Technology Services procured by Elexon. This should reduce costs for BSC Parties.
P455 On-Site Aggregation as a method to facilitate Third Party Access
This Modification seeks to establish a more cost effective and efficient method for delivering Third Party Access on private networks that include domestic and small business customers. It does so by enabling aggregated meter data from sub meters on private networks to be submitted into Settlement in lieu of data from Settlement meters installed at the Boundary Point.
P454 Removal of BSC obligations to provide BMRS Data via TIBCO and the High Grade Service
This Modification would remove the existing requirement within BSC Section V ‘Reporting’ for the Balancing Mechanism Reporting Agent (BMRA) to provide BMR Service (BMRS) data via the legacy High Grade Service, otherwise referred to as the TIBCO service.
P454 is a recommendation from BSC Issue 95, which considered the impacts associated with maintaining the legacy TIBCO service.
P453 Metering Dispensation process improvements and clarification to the CoPs
This Modification seeks to progress two recommendations from Issue 93 ‘Review of the BSC metering Codes of Practice’. The first recommendation clarifies the relevant Code of Practice (CoP) for circuits embedded behind the Boundary Point Metering System or Defined Metering Point (DMP). The second recommendation eliminates the need for Metering Dispensations when the Actual Metering Point (AMP) does not coincide with the DMP, but there is no impact on Settlement accuracy.
P452 Replacement of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers with the Energy Bill Discount Scheme
This Modification seeks to enable Elexon as the Balancing and Settlement Code Company (BSCCo) to act as the payment provider for the Government’s Energy Bill Discount (EBD) Scheme for non-domestic electricity customers. This scheme will replace the existing Energy Bill Relief (EBR) Scheme.
P451 Updating BSC Black Start provisions and compensation arrangements
P451 seeks to facilitate the implementation of NGESO’s new approach to Black Start, termed System Restoration. In doing so, it proposes to update all BSC references to “Black Start” to “System Restoration”, and enable contracted Restoration Service Providers who are non-BSC parties to claim BSC Black Start compensation.
P450 Housekeeping and making the BSC gender neutral
This housekeeping Modification corrects a total of 52 non-material errors and inconsistencies across 31 Sections (including 9 Annexes) of the BSC. It also replaces gender specific references with references that are gender neutral to bring the BSC in line with modern best practice and other energy codes.
P449 Non-domestic Energy Bill Relief Scheme
This Modification seeks to enable Elexon (BSCCo) to act as the payment provider for the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic electricity customers. The intention of the subsidy would be to reduce non-domestic consumer tariffs in light of the recent rises in energy costs.
P448 Mitigating Gas Supply Emergency Risks
The war in Ukraine and resultant gas shortages in Europe significantly increases the risk of Generators in GB being prevented from generating this winter (due to Firm Load Shedding during a Gas Supply Emergency). If that happens Generators are likely to incur massive Imbalance Charges and credit cover requirements, potentially causing them to become insolvent. Even if such an Emergency does not occur, the risk that it could occur is likely to force Generators to reduce their forward and Day Ahead trading, reducing liquidity in electricity markets, and raising costs for electricity consumers.
P447 Avoiding impact of Winter Contingency actions on cash-out prices
This Modification would prevent negative impacts to the cash-out price if NGESO’s Winter Contingency service is used.
P446 Domestic Energy Price Guarantee Scheme
This Modification seeks to enable Elexon (BSCCo) to implement and administer the payment scheme for Suppliers as part of the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee scheme for domestic electricity customers. The intention of the subsidy would be to reduce consumer tariffs in light of the recent rises in energy costs.
P445 Improving efficiency of Default Funding Share process and Energy Supply Company Administration
This Modification seeks to allow the Funds Administration Agent (FAA) to process a Default Funding Share for unpaid Trading Charges earlier to reduce the cost of the borrowing facility and reduce the risk of shortfall. The Modification will also allow the Panel to instruct the FAA to release Trading Charges where the default relates to an Energy Supply Company Administration (ESCA).
P444 Compensation for Virtual Lead Party actions in the Balancing Mechanism
P443 To Cap NGESO Interconnector Trades
At the current time National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) can trade at prices above the Value of Lost Load (VoLL – as defined in BSC Section T 1.12, currently set at £6,000/MWh). The Proposer’s view is that this adds to customers’ costs and sends a signal to the markets that customers are willing to buy power at any price. In a cost of living crisis the Proposer does not believe that the British public are prepared to buy energy at any price.
P442 Reporting chargeable volumes for exempt and licensed supply
This Modification seeks to allow correct reporting of chargeable volumes to the EMRS company for SVA Metering Systems that record both exempt supply and licensed supply through the addition of a new third party role, the “Exempt Supply Notification Agent”.
P441 Creation of Complex Site Classes
This Modification looks to progress a recommendation of the Issue 88 Workgroup to introduce Complex Site classes.
P440 Enabling Elexon to administer the Capacity Market Advisory Group
The BSC does not currently allow Elexon to undertake administrative activities that would support the Capacity Market Advisory Group (CMAG). This does not align to Ofgem’s decision to appoint Elexon to undertake the CMAG administrative activities on its behalf.
P439 Enabling EDA-based Data Integration Platform Development
This Modification makes changes to the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) to enable Elexon, in its capacity as the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) Implementation Manager, to develop the Event Driven Architecture (EDA) based system for MHHS, which will be known as the Data Integration Platform (DIP).
P438 Amending the BSC to address sanction orders
This Modification would allow Elexon to seamlessly give effect to sanctions orders.
P437 Allowing non-BSC Parties to request Metering Dispensations
This Modification proposes to introduce a provision in Section L ‘Metering’ to allow the relevant Meter Operator Agent to apply for Metering Dispensations on behalf of a non-BSC Party.
P436 Consequential BSC changes for Switching SCR (REC 3.0)
Ofgem’s Switching Significant Code Review (SCR) will introduce the new Central Switching Service (CSS) and version 3.0 of the Retail Energy Code (REC 3.0). P436 progresses the consequential BSC changes needed to align with REC 3.0.