Grid operators claim that Britain will have enough energy this winter to meet the needs of its citizens
The UK's electricity and Gas Grid Operators expect enough supplies this winter with more power imported and domestic production available than last season and high gas storage in Europe, said they on Tuesday.
National Gas and Britain's National Energy System Operator, (NESO), publish annual reports on the supply and demand for the upcoming winter to assist businesses and governments in preparing.
Craig Dyke is the director of system operations for NESO. He said, "It's encouraging to see (electricity) margins predicted for this winter being at their highest level since 2019/20."
NESO's base case for the de-rated margin is 5.2 gigawatts for winter 2024/25. This is 8.8% of the peak average demand for cold spells. It is up from 4.4 GW or 7.4% of last winter.
The margin has improved despite Britain's closing of its last coal plant in the last month.
NESO stated that the growth was due to more interconnections with Europe. After the opening of a 1.4 GW link between Britain and Denmark by the end of 2023 and the addition of battery capacity, NESO reported an increase in generation.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, wholesale energy prices have stabilized. However, NESO warns that geopolitical events can still impact the market.
The report stated that "while the global energy market is more resilient, disruptions are still possible."
NESO anticipates peak electricity demand to be 44.4 GW in the winter of 2014, which is similar to 44.9 GW last winter.
GAS SUPPLY
Around a third (33%) of Britain's electricity is produced by gas, and around 75% (75% in the UK) of homes are heated with the fuel.
National Gas' winter outlook stated that there will be sufficient gas supply with a solid supply coming from Norway and imports of Liquefied Natural Gas. Gas storage facilities in Europe are almost full.
It is monitoring the global situation as well, despite the escalating tensions that are occurring in the Middle East.
Ian Radley, National Gas System operator Director, said that factors beyond our control, such as weather, global markets, and wholesale gas costs, will all affect the gas supply-demand situation in GB.
The demand for electricity from power plants will be lower than last year as a result of the increased use of renewable energy.
National Gas has stated that the peak day demand for gas this winter will be 474 million cubic meters (mcm)/day, compared to a maximum supply capacity of 601.
(source: Reuters)
