French state-owned EDF is also behind the long-awaited Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in the UK. : EDF
Britain will rely more than ever on imported electricity to keep the lights on this winter, the National Grid has said.
Other countries will supply much of the extra power needed to defend the UK. from periods of cold and calm weather as the seasons change, according to a report from the company's Electric System Operator (ESO).
The largest supplier is expected to be France.
Incorrect. The weather could cut power output from wind and solar farms, which produce on average 37% of the UK's electricity.
The imminent closure of the giant Ratcliffe-on-Sare power station will also make this the first British winter without coal backup. -dismissed generation.
ESO's preliminary winter forecast says that despite such risks, the UK is unlikely to face blackouts or other major shortages, but this is only due to its growing ability to import electricity from other countries via submarine cables.
These imports boosted the UK's energy security last year but cost the country an additional £3 billion in import bills. This figure is expected to increase in the coming years.
The push for foreign-made electricity is infuriating unions representing energy workers.
Andy Prendergast, the GMB's national secretary for the private sector, said: «Every kilowatt produced overseas is a lost opportunity for British workers.»
The ESO report says there will be around 5.6 gigawatts. (GW) of electricity. spare capacity on the grid compared to potential peak UK demand of around 60 GW.
However, this breathing space will come mainly from interconnectors rather than UK power sources as they have added 6.6 capacity GW to system, the report says.
It said: “We assume that net imports of 6.6 GW will be available through the interconnectors during periods of tighter margins.”
“If required, ESO can trade on the interconnectors to provide the flows required to meet peak demand. This is an important operational tool available to support security of supply.»
Interconnectors are undersea high-voltage cables that allow electricity to flow in both directions, meaning the UK can export or import energy.
Delays in the UK's nuclear program and wind farm deployment mean the flow is largely one-way and is likely to remain so for many years.
Existing connections include cables connecting the UK with the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and two connections with France.
Over the past year, the UK imported almost 10% of its total electricity, equivalent to around 24,000 gigawatt-hours. More than half of this volume came from France.
Government figures show electricity imports will cost the country around £3 billion in 2023, with almost half of this paid to French state-owned EDF for electricity generated by French nuclear power plants.
EDF is also building a much-delayed power station in the UK. Hinckley Point Nuclear Power Station
Mr Prendergast said: “We understand the need to have contingency plans in place to import electricity during periods of shortage, but dependence on imports is becoming the default.”
p>» This is because successive governments have failed to plan for energy and have failed the nation and its energy workers.»
The longest undersea cable to Denmark stretches almost 500 miles. The newest route runs from Blyth in Northumberland to the Norwegian village of Kvildal, allowing the import of low-carbon electricity generated by Norwegian hydroelectric dams.
They have a total capacity of 11.7 GW in operation or under construction — enough for around 14 million homes .
Two more planned cables, LionLink (to Holland) and Tarchon (to Germany), could add another 3.2 GW, equivalent to four million homes.
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