Britain is facing a potential shortage of electricity supply today as a solar eclipse is set to significantly reduce solar power generation. The eclipse, the most significant in the UK since 1999, is expected to block up to 95 per cent of the sun in some areas.
The eclipse is scheduled to begin after 6pm, reaching its peak approximately an hour later, and concluding across the UK around 8pm. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) initially warned of a 1700MW shortage, a figure later revised to a 1200MW deficit. NESO has requested power generators to make additional capacity available to mitigate the shortfall.
A NESO spokesperson stated that an Electricity Margin Notice (EMN) was issued as a precautionary measure due to the eclipse, assuring that there is no risk to customer electricity supplies. Solar power accounted for 14.4 per cent of British electricity in July, and its reduction comes during the UK's fifth heatwave of the summer, a period of already strained energy usage and pricing.
Energy prices are anticipated to remain elevated throughout the day, with projections suggesting they could exceed £210 per MWh. This would mark the highest recorded levels since the longest heatwave of the summer in late June. NESO is expected to offer compensation payouts to energy companies, which are anticipated to be passed on to consumers' energy bills.