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Grid alert...

Written by The Times
Saturday, 31 December 2005
...as families face cold weather power cuts Near-miss highlights fears that supplies may not be able to cope with increased demand HUNDREDS of thousands of homes across the UK came within hours of power cuts after the National Grid issued an emergency call for electricity companies to reduce demand on one of the coldest days of the year. The companies were preparing to cut power or dim the lights on Thursday by lowering the voltage, after the grid issued a warning of a possible problem between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Power generators were told to make more power available on the system, while distribution companies were informed that if no more power were made available they might have to cut some customers off temporarily. The highly unusual shortage comes as fears mount over the security of Britain’s energy supplies. There was also concern that there was insufficient capacity, even though most industry was still on a Christmas break. Power cuts to households are supposed to be a last resort and the National Grid said this year that even in an extremely cold winter they could be avoided. Big energy users in industry are supposed to be cut off first in the event of a power crisis. The first warning that the grid’s safety margin was depleted came early Thursday morning, but by breakfast time the warning had been increased to a high risk of demand reduction order. The order was cancelled at 6pm on Thursday when it became clear that demand would not be as high as feared. About 40 per cent of Britain’s power stations will be due for retirement in the next 15 years, as all but one of the nuclear power stations are decommissioned and older coal-fired power stations are closed because of new European Union directives on pollution. Britain has also become a net importer of gas, because North Sea supplies have been running out more quickly than expected. ---------------------- Complete article The Times ----------------------

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Because of successive changes, much of SONE's literature gives incorrect information about contacting us. The Acting Secretary is Sir Bernard Ingham at:

9 Monahan Avenue
Purley
Surrey
CR8 3BB

Tel: 020 8660 8970
Mobile: 07860 535962
Email: sec@sone.org.uk

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