The National Energy System Operator (NESO), which manages the country’s electricity grid, said it had told power plants to notify it of any extra megawatt capacity, as wind output has left gas holding the fort.
As reported in The Telegraph, recent low wind output has pushed the UK to rely more heavily on gas-fired power stations, with the conditions are being described as ‘Dunkelflaute’ – periods of unusually low wind and solar generation. This is seen across renewable energy sources occasionally due to their volatility and reliance on weather.
Gas has also played a major balancing role during this summer’s low-wind heat periods: analysis from IGEM found gas generated an average 36% of electricity during four periods of hot weather with unusually low wind generation – dubbed ‘Hitzeflaute’.
Gas generation has risen sharply to help cover the gap left by weaker wind output and the situation highlights the UK’s continued need for flexible generation alongside growing renewable capacity.
At around 10:45 on 28th September, gas was supplying about 12GW, or 37% of GB grid flow, while wind was at just 2.6GW (8%)..
