Risk of shut downs has ‘increased’

FACTORIES face an “increased likelihood” of winter shutdowns to keep the lights on for homes.

National Grid yesterday admitted there was a greater risk of it having to invoke special measures this year.

But the company, in charge of relaying electricity around the country, insisted the situation was “manageable”.

It comes as the UK heads into winter facing the biggest threat to power supplies for a decade.

A combination of power stations closing and delays building new ones has created a perfect storm, with the “margin” between peak demand for electricity and the amount available falling as low as 1.2% if temperatures plunge.

Power supplies will hit their lowest levels in two particular weeks – from October 26 and

Systems has helped create a unmanned spy boat. Technology developed in the UK allows the craft,

ENERGY 1

January 11 – because of planned work on n plants.

However, National l Grid said yesterday y safeguards in place will l increase the margin n figure to 5.1%.

Th e y in c l u d e bringing mothballed power stations back into service and for factories that use a lot of electricity to temporarily shut down.

Buying the extra breathing room has cost £ 34.7million, adding just under 50p to the average household bill.

Cordi O’Hara, director of UK market operations at National Grid, said: “We believe we have the right tools in place to manage the system.”

Energy and Climate Change

capable of speeds of up to 38 knots (44mph), to be deployed in situations where a crew could face unacceptable levels of risk.

The boat’s route can be pre-programmed or controlled by a ship up to 40km away. Technology giant BAE Secretary Amber R Rudd sa i d : “Keeping the lights o on is non-negotiable.” a

But Br i a n S Strutton, national o officer of the GMB u union, said: “We h have the bonkers po position where National Grid is using consumers’ money to pay firms to stop work in order to avoid blackouts.”

Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The constant chopping and changing of energy policies under the Tories has put off urgently needed investment in new, clean power stations.”

The Mirror revealed this week how the Government has secret plans to cope in the unlikely event of backouts.

made the James Bond-style gadgetry with a specialist firm in Hampshire called ASV Unmanned Marine Systems, and it has just been tested near Portsmouth’s naval base.

ASV’s Dan Hook said it could be used for “surveillance and reconnaissance ahead of manned missions”.