Investigation launched into NESO claims

The energy system operator has commissioned an independent external investigation into claims made by the shadow energy secretary around its handling of the recent heatwave.

MP Claire Countinho raised concerns about the actions taken and the reporting of data by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), during the recent extreme heat period.

In a statement Ofgem, which regulates NESO, said it will make sure that the review is “transparent, impartial and has the right terms of reference to get to the facts about what happened”.

Although it said it remains “very confident in Britain’s security of supply” it stressed it was taking the recent allegations “extremely seriously”.

NESO said the findings of the report, to be carried out by law firm Eversheds Sutherland, would be published.