National Grid will not trigger emergency plan to avoid blackouts

That's despite concerns about supply, after problems at generators in France

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 28th Nov 2022

National Grid has decided against triggering an emergency plan designed to avoid blackouts this winter, despite worries about supplies.

The plan would see households paid to reduce their electricity usage during peak hours, to reduce the strain on the system.

National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) had said earlier on Monday that it was considering activating its Demand Flexibility Service for the first time to help reduce the risk of blackouts on Tuesday.

It has previously run two tests on the programme.

On Monday, the operator put out a warning that supply margins are slimmer than wanted, although that was cancelled a short time latest.

The so-called Capacity Market Notice was cancelled at 2.04pm after having been issued around half an hour earlier.

These warnings happen a number of times a year and are normally cancelled within a couple of hours.

England will play Wales in the two teams' final game in the group stages of the World Cup at 7pm on Tuesday.

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