The UK's National Energy System Operator (NESO) has cancelled its electricity margin notice issued last night and replaced it with a capacity market notice, set to take effect this evening at 4:30 PM. The move comes as freezing weather conditions prompt concerns about the power supply margin.
A spokesperson for NESO clarified that these notices are part of its routine operational toolkit. “Both of these notices are part of NESO's operational toolkit and are routine tools used most winters,” the spokesperson stated. “These notices are to inform the energy industry of the need for additional electricity supplies to maintain the operational reserve NESO holds whilst operating the national electricity network. These notices do not mean that electricity supplies are at risk or that there is not enough electricity to meet demand.
NESO had previously warned of a potential tight power market as cold weather settles in, forecasting a system margin shortfall of 1,700MW. However, the current contingency requirement has been adjusted to 900MW.
