System operator NGESO has called a ‘live’ demand response event that should see energy users dial down demand in the 5-6pm period to reduce strains on electricity supplies. NGESO said: “Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening. We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed tomorrow evening. We are also activating a Live Demand Flexibility Service event between 5-6pm tomorrow. This does not mean electricity supplies are at risk and people should not be worried. These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.”
NGESO had previously told operators of winter contingency coal units to ‘warm’ their power plants in case they are required for supply on Monday.
The ESO said, “This notification is not confirmation that these units will be used on Monday, but that they will be available to the ESO, if required. The ESO as a prudent system operator has these tools for additional contingency to operate the network as normal and the public should continue to use energy as normal.”
Coal units require at least ten hours to warm the plant through before it is able to generate electricity.
The system operator previous called on cola units to warm in case they were needed at the start of December but the units were later stood down.