Strong winter margins forecast by system operator

Growth in battery storage, increased availability of electricity generation from gas and a new interconnector should help provide the highest margins on the power network for several years this winter, according to the system operator.

In its early view of winter outlook, it anticipates an operational margin of 6.6GW (10.9%), which is the highest since the 2019/20 winter and reflects an improved margin of 1GW compared to last year’s Winter Outlook figure of 5.2GW.

The system operator cited factors including growth in supply from battery storage at both the national transmission and regional distribution network levels and the commissioning of the Greenlink electricity interconnector between Ireland and Wales.

However, it cautioned that there may still be some tight days requiring the use of tools including Capacity Market Notices and Electricity Market Notices.

Dr Deborah Petterson, Director of Resilience and Emergency Management for NESO, said: “Our early view of the winter ahead shows a positive outlook with sufficient margins throughout the colder winter months. We will continue to monitor developments in global energy markets, remaining vigilant in our preparations to ensure that the resilience and reliability of the electricity network is maintained.”