A PROJECT by Electricity North West to boost energy capacity has been awarded nearly £7.95m funding by energy regulator, Ofgem.

Quest is a scheme designed to find a green ways of managing the peaks and troughs in power caused by surges in demand.

The money will allow the firm to develop the system.

Dan Randles, Head of Network Innovation at Electricity North West, said: “To help meet its decarbonisation targets, the Government is encouraging customers to take up more and more low carbon alternatives to heat their homes and power their cars.

"This is resulting in additional demand on our network, requiring us to develop advanced voltage management techniques which will help ensure customers get the power they need.

"The funding we've been awarded is crucial for allowing us to trial a highly innovative system to coordinate existing technology on our network.

"Through optimisation, QUEST will boost the benefits currently available and enable people and businesses in the North West to embrace low carbon technologies helping to cut emissions and support the transition to net zero.”

The award was made as part of Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition, which was set up to encourage innovation in the energy sector and support the transition to a net zero carbon emissions economy.