System operator confident on winter power margins

The system operator is confident that Great Britain will have enough electricity this winter.

In NESO’s early forecast for winter, it said it expects a surplus of 5.5GW between 31 October and 31 March, with an 8.8% buffer over expected peak demand.

Although the system operator said the outlook is positive, it cautioned that “winter conditions can change” and said some periods may be more “finely balanced”.

“NESO will continue to monitor global gas markets, European electricity flows, weather conditions and periods where supply and demand may be more finely balanced, particularly in January,” it said.

It will publish a fuller assessment later this year.