The UK will boost electricity imports from the EU

The UK will increase its electricity imports from the European Union to offset potential future supply shortfalls caused by the government’s decision to close the country’s last remaining coal-fired power station.

According to a Bloomberg report citing the new National Energy System Operator, the UK will have an 8.8% spare capacity cushion this winter due to more import links with mainland Europe. That would be up from 7.4% last winter, after a new interconnection with Denmark went live earlier in the year.

“The higher year-on-year margin is driven by new interconnections, increased battery storage capacity and an increase in grid-connected generation,” NESO said, adding that “This combines with more than to offset generational retirements – such as the recent closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar.”

While this may be the case at the moment, Europe will see higher demand for electricity as winter approaches, which may reduce its ability to export as much electricity as the UK might need in winter conditions, which involves usually lower wind speeds and consequently less. exit from these facilities. Solar is also not optimal in the winter, especially in a place with suboptimal solar production conditions due to its geographic location.

The European Union is also trying to develop its own interconnector network to ensure adequate supply to all members – and Ukraine as well. Due to the destruction of the Ukrainian grid and power generation facilities by the Russian military, the country is looking to the west for support in providing electricity. It looks like Europe is about to stretch out a bit this winter, especially if it turns out to be colder than last year.

Indeed, NESO acknowledged the possibility of shortages. “We may see a few more difficult days where we have to use our standard operational tools, including the use of system notifications,” the network operator said.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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