UK Faces Power Cuts This Winter Without Imported Electricity
The UK’s National Energy System Operator data recently published shows that without unbroken electricity imports through the five Interconnectors, Britain will have to ration supplies during the coming winter
The latest NESO outlook reminds us just how fragile our electricity grid is.
Laughably they refer to the new Ireland interconnector, apparently blissfully unaware that in windless conditions, we will be sending our electricity to Ireland!
They also have not twigged that battery storage won’t last for more than a few minutes.
NESO reckon on de-rated capacity of 67 GW, giving a margin of 6.1 GW:
Source: https://www.neso.energy/publications/winter-outlook
However, they are assuming that 13.3 percent of wind capacity will be available as a minimum. As we know this can often drop to five percent and below for days on end.
Editor’s note: as of a few minutes ago, wind was providing just 1.02gw, which is 2.8 percent of our current demand. Gas is providing 21.1gw, which is 58.2 percent of demand.
That could reduce their 67 GW to 63 GW:
Even with their assumptions, we will still be fully reliant on 6.9 GW of interconnector capacity.
Of course, what is often forgotten is that the grid is dependent on 36 GW of gas power capacity, without which we would have no electricity supply at all.
FOOTNOTE
Sky News recently published this outright lie from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU):
That’s funny, because we are told that wholesale prices are set by the cost of gas power!
See more here notalotofpeopleknowthat
Bold emphasis added
Header image: The Guardian
Please Donate Below To Support Our Ongoing Work To Defend The Scientific Method
PRINCIPIA SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, legally registered in the UK as a company 
incorporated for charitable purposes. Head Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX.