UK grid operator issues second heatwave power supply warning
12 reported
Great Britain’s energy system operator raised the alarm over electricity supplies for the second time this week as a heatwave continued to test Europe’s energy markets. The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a notice late on Thursday asking generators to provide any extra electricity possible on Friday evening to meet rising demand from households using air conditioners and fans. By Friday afternoon, Neso struck a deal to pay £200 per megawatt-hour to import enough electricity from the continent to power the equivalent of 3 million typical UK homes, a rate almost three times the average power price in June last year. The operator said the call for extra power was due to forecasts showing “tight margins on the electricity system” from “the impact of extremely high temperatures affecting Great Britain and the continent.” Neso added that the electricity supply was not at risk, indicating a blackout was not imminent. The market warning was the second this week after Neso called for backup on Tuesday night before a rise in demand on Wednesday evening, when the high pressure heat dome that has led to Europe’s worst heatwave ever was forecast to slow wind speeds. The operator paid about £10 million for a few hours of electricity supplied on Wednesday evening, mostly to gas power plants, and similar high payments were expected for Friday evening. Several gas power plants in the UK have cut output because of the heat, and in France, four nuclear power plants reported unplanned outages because river water temperatures climbed too high to cool reactors.
What’s reported
Neso issued a notice late Thursday asking generators for extra electricity on Friday evening.
Neso paid £200 per megawatt-hour to import electricity from the continent, powering the equivalent of 3 million UK homes.
The rate is almost three times the average power price in June last year.
Neso said the call was due to “tight margins” from “extremely high temperatures affecting Great Britain and the continent.”
Neso stated the electricity supply was not at risk and a blackout was not imminent.
This was the second warning this week; the first was on Tuesday night for Wednesday evening demand.
Neso paid about £10 million for a few hours of electricity on Wednesday evening, mostly to gas power plants.
Several UK gas power plants cut output due to heat.
In France, four nuclear power plants had unplanned outages because river water was too warm for cooling.
French utility EDF said it would allocate €80 million (£69 million) to equip schools, nurseries, and daycare centers with cooling systems.
The heatwave is expected to move east from this weekend; Czech Republic and Hungary issued red alerts for up to 40°C (104°F).
Hungary’s government asked households to limit air conditioning between 6pm and 9pm and charge devices later.
Key figures
National Energy System Operator (Neso) – Great Britain’s energy system operator
EDF – French state-owned utility company
Sources: The Guardian
