London Jan 23 (BNA): Three coal-fired plants in the UK have been ordered to start warming up in case they are needed as the country’s power supply bites as the cold snap bites. National Grid ESO said it gave the instructions in light of expectations showing electricity supply margins could be narrower than usual on Monday.
It added that it was also activating a live “demand elasticity service” — which gives ESO access to additional elasticity when national demand is at its highest during winter peak days — between 5 and 6 p.m. on Monday, the dpa news agency reported.
The system gives some families that have smart meters the right to discounts if their electricity use is cut off. It is due to remain in place until March, when 26 energy suppliers including Octopus Energy and EDF have signed it, but so far it has only been used in tests.
National Grid ESO added that its announcement should not be interpreted as a signal that the electricity supply is at risk and said “people should not worry”.
“These are precautionary measures to preserve the excess capacity reserves we need,” the national grid said in a tweet. The cold weather means that more people heat their homes which increases the demand for energy, but the lack of wind has reduced the amount of renewable energy available.
FKN