National Grid announces plans to prevent UK blackout

The National Grid has shared plans to help prevent a blackout in the UK as energy demand increases amid cold weather.

The electricity and gas company has issued an electricity margin notice for this evening (7 March), encouraging Britain’s power plants to generate more electricity between 4.30pm to 8.30pm as temperatures are set to drop into the evening.

Mark Pink / Alamy Stock Photo

Though the risk of blackouts is thought to be low, a spokesperson for the grid said the company had decided to add extra capacity in an effort to be 'prudent'.

The notice, issued from the Grid manager's control room, said: “An electricity margin notice (EMN) has been issued to the market.

“This is a routine tool that we use most winters, and means we are asking generators to make available any additional generation capacity they may have.

“The EMN does not mean electricity supply is at risk."

To further help prevent blackouts, the National Grid has also warmed up four of its five backup coal power stations; two units at EDF’s West Burton A site and two units at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for the grid made clear that just because the stations have been warmed up does not necessarily mean they will be used.