NESO Winter Outlook - UK grid one of the most reliable in the world: comment

Comment on NESO's Winter Outlook highlight of UK's secure electricity system

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By Jess Ralston

info@eciu.net

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Commenting on NESO's Winter Outlook [1] highlighting that the UK electricity system is expected to remain secure, with a forecast surplus of 5.5GW between 31 October 2026 and 31 March 2027, Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

"As extreme heat batters the UK, winter might feel like a distant prospect, but with UK energy prices set to rise next week because of the US Iran conflict’s impact on gas supplies, many bill payers are already concerned. Prices are volatile, but with ever more renewables on the grid, even as North Sea gas output continues its ongoing decline, UK electricity is now more British than ever and less dependent on foreign imports. [2] 

"The UK grid is one of the most reliable in the world and has already operated with 98.8% clean power. [3] That the system operator is confident of managing the grid throughout the winter is a reassurance at a time of huge amounts of volatility in international oil and gas markets."

Notes to editors:

  1. NESO Winter Outlook published 00:01 BST Tue, 22 Jun
  2. https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/uk-electricity-defies-north-sea-decline-to-be-most-british-in-over-20-years-analysis
  3. https://www.neso.energy/britains-electricity-system-breaks-zero-carbon-record-gas-reaches-historic-low-and-solar-hits-historic-high


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