That’s the only way we can keep the lights on and the economy powered when output from renewables is lower than expected
National Grid’s blackout warning shows the UK needs a balanced energy mix to keep the lights on, says GMB Union.
The network issued a statement that ‘unusually low wind output coinciding with a number of generator outages means the cushion of spare capacity we operate the system with has been reduced’, warning of “tight margins” on Britain’s power grid in the days to come.
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said:
“This unusual warning from National Grid backs up what GMB said for some time: we must have a balanced energy mix that combines increasing use of intermittent renewables with reliable green gas and new nuclear.
“That’s the only way we can keep the lights on and the economy powered when output from renewables is lower than expected, because the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine."
