National Grid has issued a notice to the energy industry asking for more
generation to be brought on to the system following “multiple plant
breakdowns”.
The power firm said the move was not an indication that there was an
immediate risk of blackouts, but it is the first time such a notice has
been issued for three years.
An additional 500 megawatts is being requested for today – equivalent to
the power surge experienced at half time during a big sports event.
A statement said: “National Grid has issued a notice to the industry today
asking for more generation to be brought on to the system.
“This is part of our standard toolkit for balancing supply and demand and
is not an indication there is an immediate risk of disruption to supply or
blackouts. It indicates that we would like our power held in reserve to be
higher.
“This Notification of Inadequate System Margin (NISM) is a result of
multiple plant breakdowns. An additional 500 MWs is being requested for
between 16.30 and 18.30 this evening.”
Brian Strutton, national officer of the GMB union, said: “It is less than a
month ago since we warned that the Government and National Grid were far
too complacent about the risks of widespread power blackouts.
Share article
“There can be eight to 10 days per month when there is not a lot of output
from wind capacity.
“We now have the bonkers position where National Grid is using consumers’
money to pay firms to stop work in order to avoid blackouts.”
1 Comment