Comment on National Grid Winter Outlook

Commenting on National Grid ESO’s Winter Outlook report [1], Jess Ralston, Energy Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "Unfortunately we're not out of the woods yet with high gas prices predicted to stay for the foreseeable future. Security of supply will not come from the North Sea, which is in terminal decline, but from lowering our demand for expensive gas in the first place, through things like building out renewables and insulating our homes.

“However after the Prime Minister's speech last week, the plan for rolling out some of these net zero measures like insulation is now uncertain. And the last auction on renewables auctions was a flop due to Treasury rules. That might be a difficult pill to swallow for people who are poorer and colder from living in homes with insufficient insulation and high gas bills this winter.

“Just like last winter, we'll probably be able to manage the energy system effectively but the costs of sticking with gas will keep adding up."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. ESO signals cautious optimism ahead of winter: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/news/eso-signals-cautious-optimism-ahead-winter

For more information or for interview requests:

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