UK reserve margin to hit 7-year low

• 10 years ago (2014-10-31)
• Junior Isles

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National Grid has warned that its capacity to supply electricity this winter will be at a seven-year low due to generator closures and breakdowns.

It said the average cold spell margin expected to be 4.1 per cent, this compares to 5 per cent during the winter months last year and 17 per cent three years ago.

National Grid said it has contingency plans in place to manage supply, including paying big firms to switch off on cold winter evenings.

Angela Knight, chief executive of Energy UK, said: “National Grid’s analysis shows the margin between supply and demand for electricity has become much narrower in recent years, but still within the safety zone the government has set.

“Power cuts during this winter are unlikely as generators have been spending large amounts of money on maintenance over the summer so they can meet demand when it gets cold. National Grid has also made sure that, during peak times, it can both draw on extra support from power stations and cut back the amount of electricity used by big industrial businesses.”

She warned, however, that the UK must plan for the future so the country has the new generation capacity it needs while preventing other reliable generators from being mothballed.