The UK grid operator issued a warning that the margin between electricity supply and demand will be tight on Tuesday amid a cold snap that’s threatening to deliver snow and ice across parts of England.
(Bloomberg) — The UK grid operator issued a warning that the margin between electricity supply and demand will be tight on Tuesday amid a cold snap that’s threatening to deliver snow and ice across parts of England.
It’s the latest measure taken by National Grid to ensure the security of power supplies after authorities asked an Electricite de France SA coal plant to warm up and be prepared to meet extra demand.
Read more: UK Grid Readies Reserve Coal Unit for Tuesday’s Cold Snap
The grid warning is a tool used regularly to maintain power supplies and doesn’t indicate any blackout is imminent, according to warning posted late Monday.
“This is a routine tool that we use most winters, and means we are asking generators to make available any additional generation capacity they may have,” the system operator said in a statement. The notice “does not mean electricity supply is at risk.”
The electricity margin notice will be in place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, typically the time of peak demand in the UK, National Grid said. The grid operator will review the situation at noon Tuesday and submit an update, which could mean the notice is canceled.
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