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EnvironmentUK faces 1.2 GW power shortfall as third summer heatwave strains grid
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Britain's National Energy System Operator (Neso) 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, driven by record use of fans and air conditioners. This is Neso's second such warning in two months. Low wind speeds reduced wind power to just 6.6% of the electricity mix, forcing reliance on gas, nuclear, and imports. Meanwhile, France, a key supplier of emergency electricity to the UK, has cut nuclear output because river water used for reactor cooling has become too hot. Neso stated the warning does not necessarily foreshadow blackouts, as buffer capacity may be met. The event highlights 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 calling on energy companies to generate additional supplies to meet demand from cooling devices during Britain's third heatwave of the summer.
Key Warning
Neso has warned of a possible 1.2 gigawatt shortfall during Thursday evening's peak demand — its second such warning in two months. 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 Challenges the Grid
The warning marks a reversal in the traditional pattern of pressure on the UK's energy system, which normally faces higher strain during winter when households need heating. However, hotter summer weather has increased usage of air conditioning units and fans, making pressure a year-round phenomenon.
Supply and Demand Pressures
Increased usage has collided with a dampening of supply:
- Low wind speeds have rendered many of the UK's wind farms redundant
- Wind power contributed just 6.6 percent of Britain's electricity mix on Wednesday
- The country has increased reliance on domestic gas-fired power stations, nuclear plants, and expensive imported energy
- Solar farms help supplement supply during the day, but evenings and nights force the grid to lean heavily on fossil fuels and foreign-generated energy
European Heatwave Impact
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 already been forced to slash output at a host of its vast nuclear power portfolio after nearby water sources became too hot to cool reactors.
Previous Warning
This is Neso's second warning in as many months. The group was forced to call for more power during June's heatwave, which saw temperatures soar to a record 37.7°C.
Outlook
Neso added that the warning does not foreshadow a series of blackouts. It often withdraws warnings once buffer capacity is met, as happened during last June's heatwave.
By CityAM
Source
OilPrice.com Daily News UpdateWestern
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UK Grid Issues Heatwave Warning Over Potential Power Shortfall