Why ramping agreements could unlock electrification for large-scale operators in the UK, accelerating decarbonisation

By Jamie McAinsh , Chief Commercial Officer at Aurora Utilities Limited

Recently we spoke to a major nationwide logistics operator - delivering over a billion letters and parcels annually – who had begun electrifying their transport depots across Great Britain. Their ambition to decarbonise their operations was clear, but they faced major stumbling blocks when trying to secure future energy capacity to make their long-term goals possible.

Many businesses, whether they’re running a large bus or lorry fleet, or operate logistics warehouses up and down the country, make the mistake of applying for the full electrical capacity they will eventually require – only to be turned down by the DNO.

Often the DNO will cite long lead times driven by reinforcement requirements. The issue is not a case of lack of ambition but one of timing.

Many operators simply don’t require 100% of their long-term capacity immediately. They need enough to support the first phase of electrification – factoring in growth over time.

This is where ramping agreements change the equation. Instead of securing the full load upfront, Aurora can structure a phased capacity model.

The operator therefore benefits from:

1.      Reserved future capacity

2.      Getting connected at a lower initial level

3.      Increasing capacity in defined stages

4.      Aligned reinforcement with actual growth

The financial implications are significant.

Under traditional models, businesses can pay for unused capacity. With a ramping approach, capacity charges align with real operational demand.

In high-capacity infrastructure projects, similar structures have reduced capacity charges by up to 70%. For large sites, this can translate into multi-million-pound annual savings - capital that can instead be reinvested into renewable generation, storage, fleet expansion or other low-carbon technologies.

Ultimately, the operator secures the energy they need, when they need it, with the ability to scale over time to match their growth ambitions.

Ramping is not about cutting corners.

It’s about structuring infrastructure intelligently so that growth, grid reinforcement and capital deployment move in step.

For the UK, this kind of flexibility matters. It enables faster electrification, supports digitalisation and logistics growth, and accelerates progress towards net zero - without waiting for the grid to catch up all at once.

For large operators planning their next connection, the question isn’t just:

“How much capacity do we need?”

It’s:

“When do we need it, and how should we structure it?”

For operators navigating UK grid constraints, flexibility is becoming a strategic advantage - not a nice-to-have. As an IDNO, we have unlocked significant efficiency gains through our ramping agreements which drive our client’s decarbonisation plans forward, ensuring they don’t stall at the first stages of planning future capacity.

If you’re a transport or logistics operator looking to electrify your operations, speak to a member of the Aurora team today to discuss how ramping agreements can support your long-term growth: info@aurora-utilities.co.uk