Brits issued winter energy supply warning with ‘tight days’ ahead
Great Britain’s power system operator has warned of potential “tight days” for energy supply this winter, although new battery storage is expected to help meet national demand.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) stated that electricity imported from Europe can be used to power homes and businesses “when necessary”.
This outlook follows the publication of the latest winter energy reports from Neso and National Gas, after prices rose with the increase in the cap price.
Electricity margins rose to their strongest level since 2020, reflecting a backup power supply cushion, Neso said on Thursday.
But he added that there may still be some “tighter periods” that may require support from the energy sector.
“We expect a sufficient operational surplus throughout the winter, although there will be congested days that require us to use our standard operating tools, including system notifications,” the report said.
System notifications show how the grid operator informs the wider energy industry that electricity supply is not meeting demand and allows production to increase when necessary.
Early data from power companies and forecasters suggested the “frequent days” would likely occur in early December or mid-January.
Neso added that imports would be possible when needed to help meet demand, supported by “adequate electricity supply across Europe”.
Neso director of resilience and emergency management, Deborah Petterson, said: “A durable and reliable energy supply is fundamental to our way of life.
“At Neso, we are looking ahead to the upcoming winter and can report that this year’s winter outlook reveals the strongest electricity margins in the last six years.
“It is critical that we continue our work with the wider energy sector to build on this foundation and prepare for the months ahead to continue our track record of world-leading reliability.”
Meanwhile, National Gas’s latest analysis showed that Great Britain has sufficient gas supply capacity to meet peak demand.
He noted that supply can meet demand, even “accounting for unforeseen network outage scenarios.”
Gas demand is expected to be 3% lower than last winter, easing pressure on supply, the gas network operator said.
It was stated that high demand is still expected, but it was emphasized that it is “confident” that the market will work as it should.
Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen, director of energy systems and resilience at National Gas, said: “As we head into winter we remain confident in the resilience of our gas system and our ability to meet Britain’s energy needs during periods of peak demand.
“The energy landscape is improving with increasing reliance on imports and continued reductions in UK continental shelf supply.
“Meeting these challenges requires a co-ordinated, forward-looking approach and we are working closely with Government, industry and regulators to develop the right solutions that will protect security of supply in the future.”
But National Gas’s report shows a decline in Britain’s gas storage capacity, with the Rough landfill off the Yorkshire coast no longer storing gas; This means increased reliability in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fill the gap during times of high demand.
Although the North Sea plant is the largest of its kind in the UK, owner Centrica has stopped filling it with natural gas due to concerns about its financial viability.
The Rough region accounts for around half of Britain’s storage capacity and acts as a buffer at times when the weather is particularly cold and demand for gas increases.
Centrica has long warned that without government support to invest in the site, the facility would be decommissioned.
