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Great Britain national electricity operator warned that citizens should prepare for power outages of up to three hours this winter in the “unlikely” event of insufficient gas supplies.
The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) announced on Thursday that it has taken steps to establish precautionary measures to ensure gas supply from October 31 to March 31, 2023.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that, overall, winter is likely to be difficult for energy supplies across Europe,” the national operator said in a statement highlighting several scenarios in which Britons could see their electricity cut off during peak usage.
The Armada gas condensate platform, operated by BG Group Plc, stands in the North Sea off Aberdeen, UK, December 11, 2015. (Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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“There may be days with cold weather (hence likely high demand), with low wind levels (reduction in available generation), where it is possible that it is necessary to interrupt the supply of certain customers for limited periods,” the ESO said. , adding that all outages would be “managed and controlled”.
“However, we expect our mitigation measures to be effective,” he added.
Officials said the public can also help by not overusing heat and limiting power consumption during peak hours.
Britain’s gas stocks over the winter are expected to be sufficient largely thanks to its gas supply lines from the North Sea and imports from Norway.
Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European Union member countries depended on around 40% of their gas imports from Moscow.
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Although they have taken steps to drastically reduce imports from Russia in 90% by the end of the year, it remains unclear how much the EU has continued to import from Moscow, especially amid continued supply disruptions.
The UK has relied much less on the Kremlin for its energy needs and imports only 3% of its gas comes from Russia.
A worker walks down the stairs at the sight of a gas flue vent pipe on the Armada gas condensate platform, operated by BG Group Plc, in the North Sea, off Aberdeen, UK , December 10, 2015. (Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
About half of the UK’s gas imports come from the North Sea, a third from Norway and the rest is from countries like Qatar and the United States, according to British media.
“We are cautiously confident that there will be adequate margins over the winter period,” ESO Executive Director Fintan Slye said in a statement.
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Style said that while he is relatively confident that UK homes will remain heated throughout the winter months, it is still our responsibility “to also consider external factors and risks beyond our control, such as turbulence and unprecedented volatility in energy markets in Europe and beyond.”
Style said UK officials will continue to work with European gas officials to ensure a stable supply in the months ahead.