Somewhere in the middle of the Berkshire countryside sits an unmarked single-storey brick building, barely visible over the surrounding trees. Deep inside, a group of technicians carefully monitor the behaviour of people out in the real world, making sure they have enough electricity to keep the lights on but not so much as to short-circuit their devices. If all goes well, nobody will notice the work of the 20 or so people who run Britain’s network from National Grid’s headquarters in Wokingham. But in November, the grid had to use unprecedented emergency measures to keep the power up, highlighting the country’s supply crunch and thrusting the company into the spotlight.
FT 4th Jan 2016 read more »
Cordi O’Hara says National Grid is looking to industry to help curb consumption. Emergency measures are likely to be needed several more times this winter to keep Britain’s lights on, National Grid has warned. Cordi O’Hara, the director of market operations at the organisation that runs the UK’s electricity network, said electricity supply is at its tightest for a decade. The margin of supply above demand at peak times would continue at historically low levels for three years, said Ms O’Hara.
FT 4th Jan 2016 read more »