Comment on National Grid Winter Outlook

Commenting on the Winter Outlook Reports published today by National Grid [1], Jess Ralston, Senior Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: “Last year the grid stood solid during the winter, but the gas crisis has changed the outlook this year because there is still a large unknown around how high the gas price will go and what will be available.

“We didn’t need to be here. Had investment in energy efficiency and onshore wind gone ahead over the past few years, we’d be much more certain about meeting demand. Every spin of a wind turbine and loft lagged means less gas we need to try to buy.

“Bringing more market dynamics into the electricity system makes sense and will help to bring bills down not only for those households taking advantage and switching their energy use to off-peak times, but will reduce the need for the most expensive gas plants to come online in the first place, cutting the nation’s overall electricity bill.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Winter Outlook Report: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/268346/download; Gas Winter Outlook: https://www.nationalgrid.com/gas-transmission/document/140921/download

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net