Great Britain’s electricity system operator has issued another warning over power supplies as the UK enters its third heatwave of the year, with soaring temperatures expected to increase electricity demand.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued an electricity margin notice overnight, asking power generators to make additional electricity available to help meet higher demand on Thursday evening. The increase is expected as households rely more heavily on fans and air conditioning during the hot weather.
The alert comes just weeks after Neso made a similar request during June’s record-breaking heatwave, when temperatures reached a provisional 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk, surpassing the previous June record of 35.6C set in 1976.
Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 34C across parts of southern England on Thursday. Although this heatwave is expected to be slightly cooler than the one in June, it is forecast to last for more than 10 days.
In a statement, Neso said it was “giving participants the opportunity to make any additional generation or flexibility available during the forecast period.”
The operator added: “Our forecasts indicate tight electricity margins during tomorrow evening’s peak period. This is due to extreme temperatures across Europe, reducing the availability of some generation.”
Despite the warning, Neso stressed that the notice is a routine measure used to balance the electricity network and reassured consumers that supplies remain secure.
“We will continue to monitor conditions closely and take any actions necessary to maintain secure electricity supplies,” the operator said, adding: “There is no risk to customer electricity supplies.”
While households are not expected to face power cuts, the notice increases the likelihood that Neso will have to pay higher-than-normal prices to gas-fired power stations to ensure sufficient electricity is available.
Meanwhile, France’s state-owned energy company EDF warned that the ongoing heatwave is also affecting its nuclear power network, which exports electricity to both the UK and Germany.
EDF said electricity output could be reduced at up to five nuclear power stations as rising river temperatures limit the water available to cool reactors. The company plans to scale back production initially by operating only two reactors, with further reductions possible if extreme temperatures continue across Europe.
Western Europe is currently experiencing its third heatwave in six weeks, with soaring temperatures fuelling major wildfires across France and Spain. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, more than 35,000 hectares have burned in France, while over 55,000 hectares have been scorched in Spain.
