Published in the Telegraph on 21st December 2016:
SIR – This year’s tight electricity margin follows a similar situation last year.
National Grid has said that the situation is manageable, but it is understandable that some will want to raise concerns. From next year, the Government’s Capacity Market will provide enough power to cover us for next winter and the years ahead.
Our energy system, like that of many other countries, is in transition. By making it smarter and more flexible, we know we can save billions. By creating a market that enables a more efficient allocation of our electricity, both home owners and businesses can cash in when power is most plentiful and cheap. Businesses want this transition and many are already investing in their own generation, energy storage and flexible demand measures.
Security of supply is rightly a concern, but there is no need for home owners and businesses to worry unnecessarily. If anything, tight margins should be a call to arms for greater energy efficiency, which is good for our bills, our environment and our energy security.