NESO ISSUES ELECTRICITY MARGIN NOTICE AS EXTREME HEAT STRAINS GRID

The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued an electricity margin notice on Wednesday evening as extreme heat placed pressure on Britain's electricity grid. The notice, in effect between 7pm and 10pm, signals to the electricity market that additional capacity may be required. Neso confirmed that forecasts showed tight margins on the electricity system for Wednesday evening. A spokesman stated that the notice is a "routine tool" and stressed that it "does not mean electricity supply is at risk".

Extremely high temperatures affecting Great Britain and the continent, combined with low wind conditions, created the conditions for the alert. Heat reduces efficiency in nuclear power plants, petrol stations and water cooling systems. Simultaneously, increased demand for fans and air conditioning to keep cool places additional strain on the network. Such margin notices are far more typical during winter months, when heating demand usually strains the grid, making this summer intervention rare.

Temperatures were forecast to reach 40°C in some parts of England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday as a heat dome settled over western Europe. Neso designed electricity margin notices to prompt suppliers to make additional power available if necessary. The body is responsible for ensuring electricity supply meets demand across the national system.