From Annual Matching to Hourly 24/7 Strategies: Opportunities and Risks

Synopsis

Corporates such as hyperscalers and data centres are shifting from annual REC accounting to 24/7 matching for greater ESG credibility. In the UK and Ireland, this trend intersects with grid congestion and locational pricing reform.

• Why 24/7 matching is gaining traction under Scope 2 frameworks.
• Risks and system impacts: location constraints, flexibility requirements, and cost exposure.
• Practical strategies for implementing hourly matching in constrained UK grids and Ireland’s I-SEM system.