Britain's grid operator says the electricity system will remain secure this winter despite staff concerns about managing renewable energy sources, according to the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
NESO said supplies would remain secure throughout the colder months, though it warned of "tight days" when it may need to request additional power generation from producers. The operator described such requests as routine and not a warning of blackouts.
Deborah Petterson, NESO's director of whole energy system resilience, said households and businesses could be confident the system "remains secure, reliable and among the most resilient in the world."
The assurance follows an independent investigation by law firm Eversheds Sutherland that found "high levels of stress and concern" among NESO engineers over their ability to balance supply and demand. The investigation, commissioned after whistle-blower allegations, identified the core problem: renewable energy sources like wind and solar are "less flexible" and "more difficult" to manage than traditional gas-fired generation, making it harder to keep supply aligned with demand.
Eversheds did not substantiate the whistle-blower claims, which included allegations that control room staff were encouraged to conceal records to avoid scrutiny during a period of extreme heat in June. However, the investigation did find "significant" cultural, governance and control issues at NESO, including a "significant disconnect" between frontline control room staff and senior leadership. Multiple staff members told investigators that executives "do not fully appreciate or understand either the way in which the control room works, or the reality of the pressures faced by those on the frontline."
The probe was triggered by Conservative shadow energy secretary Clare Coutinho, who said in July she had been contacted by a whistle-blower alleging NESO was "hiding information about how securely our grid is being run."
National Gas, the company that operates Britain's gas network, separately forecast sufficient gas supply for winter but predicted increased gas-fired generation at peak demand times due to the intermittent nature of renewables. Wind power accounted for almost 30 percent of Britain's electricity generation last year, marginally above gas.
NESO chief executive Fintan Slye said the organisation would act on the investigation's recommendations and work to help staff feel their concerns are heard.