UK Power Electricity Supplies enough for winter

Gas supplies are expected to be "comfortable", while electricity margins, at 5.1%, are "manageable", the grid said in its Winter Outlook.

This means supply is expected to exceed peak demand by 5.1%.

 

The Grid has secured extra supplies to maintain this margin, including paying some plants to remain on standby.

Without these measures, the margin would be 1.2%.

"Our analysis suggests that electricity margins will continue to be tight but manageable throughout the winter period," said Cordi O'Hara, director of UK Market

Operations.

"We have taken appropriate steps to support security of supply through the procurement of additional balancing services."

The Grid made similar provisions last winter.

Gas supplies are far more abundant. The Grid forecasts peak demand of 465 million cubic metres a day, with a potential supply of up to 613 million cubic metres.

"Keeping the lights on is non-negotiable," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd. "National Grid has the right tools in place to manage the system this winter and we will ensure that they continue to do so in future."