This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29794632

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
National Grid says winter energy buffer cut National Grid warns of lower winter power capacity
(35 minutes later)
National Grid has warned that its capacity to supply electricity this winter will be lower than last due to generator closures and breakdowns. National Grid has warned that its capacity to supply electricity this winter will be at a seven-year low due to generator closures and breakdowns.
Spare electricity capacity, which normally runs at about 5% over the winter months, would be nearer 4% this year, National Grid said. Spare electricity capacity, which ran at about 5% over the winter months last year, would be nearer 4% this year, National Grid said.
It said gas supplies were in a "strong position". Three years ago the margin was 17%.
This could change if gas supplies from Russia were disrupted, in which case more expensive gas would be imported. But National Grid said it has contingency plans in place to manage supply, including paying big firms to switch off on cold winter evenings.
This would only happen in the "most extreme scenario", National Grid said. Dismissing fears of possible electricity blackouts, energy minister Matthew Hancock told the BBC: "We are absolutely clear we are taking the measures necessary in order to have secure energy supplies this winter."
"The current uncertainty surrounding Eastern European gas supply stability due to the enduring tensions between Russia and Ukraine, could lead to curtailment of gas supplies in to Europe," said the owner and operator of the UK's power network in its 2014/15 Winter Outlook report.
Although the UK does not receive any gas directly from Russia, gas flows to Europe could be affected, which would in turn affect supplies to the UK, it added.
If necessary, the UK could import more liquefied natural gas from elsewhere, but this would cost more and could have implications for household bills.
Overall, however, gas supplies, storage and network capacity were "well in excess of maximum expected demand", the operator said.
'Manageable''Manageable'
This is based on similar demand but a fall in supply, due to generators closing and breaking down, and new plants not coming online quickly enough to replace them. National Grid's assessment, made in its 2014/15 Winter Outlook report, is based on similar demand to last winter but a fall in supply, due to generators closing and breaking down, and new plants not coming online quickly enough to replace them.
The network operator said it is finalising contracts with three UK power stations to provide reserve power in case of higher-than-expected demand.The network operator said it is finalising contracts with three UK power stations to provide reserve power in case of higher-than-expected demand.
Additional reserve contracts with Littlebrook, Rye House and Peterhead power plants could increase this margin to more than 6%, said the operator.Additional reserve contracts with Littlebrook, Rye House and Peterhead power plants could increase this margin to more than 6%, said the operator.
"The electricity margin has decreased compared with recent years, but the outlook remains manageable and well within the reliability standard set by the government," said Cordi O'Hara, director of market operations at National Grid."The electricity margin has decreased compared with recent years, but the outlook remains manageable and well within the reliability standard set by the government," said Cordi O'Hara, director of market operations at National Grid.
Gas supplies
In the event of disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, it said more expensive gas could be imported.
This would only happen in the "most extreme scenario", National Grid said.
"The current uncertainty surrounding Eastern European gas supply stability due to the enduring tensions between Russia and Ukraine, could lead to curtailment of gas supplies in to Europe," said the owner and operator of the UK's power network.
Although the UK does not receive any gas directly from Russia, gas flows to Europe could be affected, which would in turn affect supplies to the UK, it added.
If necessary, the UK could import more liquefied natural gas from elsewhere, but this would cost more and could have implications for household bills.
Overall, however, gas supplies, storage and network capacity were "well in excess of maximum expected demand", the operator said.