Wire flash
EnvironmentUK grid operator warns of 1.2 GW power shortfall as summer heatwave strains electricity system
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Britain's National Energy System Operator (Neso) has issued a rare overnight warning that extreme temperatures from the third heatwave of the summer could cause a 1.2 gigawatt power shortfall on Thursday evening, as households use fans and air conditioners at record levels. This is Neso's second such warning in two months, following a June heatwave that saw temperatures hit 37.7°C. The strain is compounded by low wind speeds, which left wind power contributing only 6.6% of Britain's electricity on Wednesday, forcing reliance on gas, nuclear, and imports. Meanwhile, France—a key supplier of emergency electricity to the UK—has cut nuclear output because reactor cooling water is too hot. Neso stated the warning does not necessarily foreshadow blackouts, as buffer capacity may be met. The event marks a shift from traditional winter peak demand to year-round pressure due to climate change.
Source report
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has issued a rare overnight notice warning of a potential 1.2 gigawatt electricity shortfall during Thursday evening's peak demand period, marking the second such warning in two months.
Heatwave Strains Power Supply
Neso warned that "extreme temperatures" from this week's heatwave—Britain's third of the summer—could hit power supplies on Thursday night as households increase usage of fans and air conditioners, placing record strain on the electricity system.
The organisation stated it was "giving participants the opportunity to make any additional generation or flexibility available during the forecast period."
"Our forecasts indicate tight electricity margins during tomorrow [Thursday] evening's peak period," Neso added. "This is due to extreme temperatures across Europe, reducing the availability of some generation."
Changing Climate Shifts Grid Pressure
The warning marks a reversal of the traditional pattern of pressure on the UK's energy system, which normally faces higher strain during winter when households need heating. Hotter summer weather has increased air conditioning and fan usage, making pressure a year-round phenomenon.
Low Wind Output Compounds Supply Issues
According to live National Grid data, wind power contributed just 6.6 percent of Britain's electricity mix on Wednesday. Low wind speeds have rendered many UK wind farms redundant, increasing reliance on domestic gas-fired power stations, nuclear plants, and expensive imported energy.
During the day, solar farms help supplement the collapse in wind supply. However, in evenings and through the night, the grid has been forced to lean heavily on fossil fuels and foreign-generated energy from neighbouring countries.
France Cuts Nuclear Output
The continent is experiencing its own major heatwave, expected to intensify in the coming days. France—on which the UK relies for the majority of its emergency electricity supplies—has been forced to slash output at a host of its nuclear power plants after nearby water sources became too hot to cool reactors.
No Blackouts Expected
Neso added that the warning does not foreshadow a series of blackouts. The operator often withdraws warnings once buffer capacity is met, as occurred during last June's heatwave, when temperatures reached a record 37.7°C.
By CityAM
Source
OilPrice.com Daily News UpdateWestern
Part of this Story
UK Grid Issues Heatwave Warning Over Potential Power Shortfall