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Summer Heatwaves Are Rewriting the Rules for Britain's Power Grid

News | 2026/07/11 19:03

Summer Heatwaves Are Rewriting the Rules for Britain's Power Grid

Britain's power grid faces new challenges

The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has warned of a possible 1.2 gigawatt shortfall during Thursday evening's peak demand, marking its second such warning in two months.

On Wednesday, wind power supplied just 6.6 percent of Britain's electricity, forcing the grid to rely on gas, nuclear, and imported power.

France has cut nuclear output as reactor cooling water runs too hot, threatening the emergency supplies the UK relies on.

Neso stated that the “extreme temperatures” from this week's heatwave could impact power supplies.

This warning marks a reversal in the traditional pattern of pressure on the UK’s energy system, which typically experiences higher strain during winter.

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