Britain electricity

Is Britain bracing for ‘load shedding’ this winter?
Photo source: Flickr

Is Britain bracing for ‘load shedding’ this winter?

Britain’s power utility has warned citizens that electricity supply will be much tighter this winter, but contingency plans are in place

Britain electricity

Is Britain bracing for ‘load shedding’ this winter?
Photo source: Flickr

While South Africa works on measures to address load shedding, the United Kingdom (UK) could soon find itself in an electricity crisis of its own this winter.

National Grid, the UK’s power provider, has warned citizens electricity supply will be much tighter this winter, Reuters reports. But it isn’t all doom and gloom, as it anticipates it will be able to meet the demand.

This has been attributed to uncertainty over supplies of Russian gas to Europe. Like many other countries on the continent, the UK is putting in place a number of contingency plans, in the wake of Russia’s move to reduce natural gas flows. Gas-fired power plants were responsible for more than 40% of Britain’s electricity production last year while the fossil fuel is also used to heat around 80% of British homes, Reuters reports.

BRITAIN IN FOR A ‘TIGHT’ DECEMBER

According to National Grid ESO, the first half of December this year will be likely be the toughest period for electricity supply and demand in the UK.

“While Britain is not reliant on Russian gas to the extent that the rest of Europe is, it is clear that the cessation of flows of gas into Europe could have knock-on impacts, including very high prices,” National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) said on Thursday.

Meanwhile in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently unveiled a comprehensive plan meant to take on the country’s energy crisis. The plan aims to address maintenance problems at power stations and also beef up capacity for the national grid. Eskom will now also purchase additional energy from existing private generators such as mines, paper mills, shopping centres and other private entities that have surplus power.

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