Opening-up Market Opportunities: First Non-BMUs used in Quick Reserve Market

On 10 October 2025 the first Non-Balancing Mechanism Units (BMUs) were used in the Quick Reserve market by our control room to rapidly manage energy imbalances and secure the energy system – this marks a key milestone for NESO and energy Industry partners as we work collaboratively towards Clean Power 2030 goals. 

Quick Reserve is a vital service we use to quickly balance energy supply and demand to keep the electrical frequency stable, ensuring continued reliable & secure operation of Great Britain’s power network. There are two types of Quick Reserve: Negative Quick Reserve (NQR) and Positive Quick Reserve (PQR) - both work to correct imbalances and return the frequency close to 50.0 Hz. 

Until recently, access to the Quick Reserve market had been limited to Balancing Mechanism Units (BMUs), however, non-BMUs are now actively participating in the service via our new system – the Open Balancing Platform - unlocking new opportunities for smaller, flexible assets. 

Speaking on the success, Jon Wisdom, Head of Market Change Delivery commented:

“This is a pivotal moment in opening routes to market for smaller units & flexibility providers and responds to feedback from our Industry partners.  Providers with non-BMUs can now play a key role in proactively securing the electricity network with the provision of Quick Reserve, whilst driving consumer value. We will build on this in 2026 with our new Slow Reserve service, which will be open to providers with both BMU and Non-BMUs”. 

In addition to those NBM units already providing Quick Reserve as of the 10 October, additional assets are anticipated to be ready to participate in the Quick Reserve service over the coming weeks. Further information on participating in the Quick Reserve market with Non-BMUs is available here. 

Brendan Lyons, Balancing Programme Director, explained:

“Use of Non-BMUs for Quick reserve on OBP represents a key step in enabling a level playing field across asset types. With OBP both Non-BM and BM services and units will be supported and harmonised on a single system, empowering the Control Room to consider all services and units —regardless of asset or fuel type — when making balancing decisions. The Programme is continuing the transition of Non-BM units onto OBP with the move of Non-BM Dynamic Response units onto OBP in January 2026”.