Britain's blackout risk is at its lowest since pre-covid, according to the National Energy System Operator: comment
NESO year’s early view of winter report anticipates an operational margin of 6.6GW (10.9%), which is the highest anticipated margin since the 2019/20 winter.
By Jess Ralston
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Commenting on the National Energy System Operator's report showing that Britain has the highest operational margin estimated for this winter (2025/26) since pre-covid, which essentially means that the risk of power outages are lowest, [1], Jess Ralston, Energy Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:
"Britain's blackout risk is at its lowest this winter since before covid, while renewable generation is ever-growing; it reached a new record in 2024 [2]. This is evidence of renewables providing reliable energy that stabilises prices, whereas gas will increasingly come from abroad and be volatile in price as the UK has no significant control on costs which are set by international markets - which are currently spiking [3].
The National Energy System Operator is 'confident' it can run the grid on completely zero carbon power for a period this year [4] as we head towards 2030, with renewables consistently providing more evidence that those who doubt their benefits may be misguided."
Notes to editors:
1. https://www.neso.energy/news/early-view-winter-outlook-anticipates-highest-margins-201920
2. https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/?
3. https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/natural-gas
4. https://www.neso.energy/news/preparing-low-electricity-demand-2025-summer-outlook
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net