Power stations are facing increased payments to avert an energy crisis following the issuance of a second alert within a few days. The ongoing heatwave has caused a surge in demand as households and businesses rely on air conditioning and electric fans to combat the rising temperatures. Additionally, reduced wind farm output due to calm weather conditions has compounded the situation.
Another significant factor contributing to the energy strain is the soaring temperatures in neighboring countries, limiting the UK’s ability to import electricity. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has called for power stations to boost their output between 7 pm and 10 pm on Friday evening, following a similar request earlier in the week that resulted in substantial earnings for operators.
As of early Friday, gas supplied approximately 27% of the UK’s energy requirements, with solar energy closely trailing at 26% and wind power at 18%. NESO issued an electricity margin notice (EMN) indicating a potential 446-megawatt shortfall between anticipated demand and available supply, emphasizing the need for a greater safety margin.
NESO clarified that the EMN serves as a precautionary measure to signal the market to enhance generation capacity temporarily, rather than indicating an immediate risk of blackouts. The organization emphasized the tight electricity margins due to the extreme temperatures affecting the UK and neighboring regions, reassuring that the supply is not at imminent risk.
Concerns have been raised regarding the availability of power during the peak evening hours, rather than just the surge in demand. Data from NESO revealed that the UK still relied on imports to meet around 13% of its energy needs on Friday, with power stations in neighboring countries facing their own supply challenges due to increased demand.
The energy strain coincides with a severe heatwave across Western Europe, leading to record-breaking temperatures. In France, which experienced its hottest day on record, two nuclear power stations were temporarily shut down to comply with set temperature limits.