National Grid Expects to Meet Demand This Winter, But War in Ukraine Poses Gas Supply Risks

The Ukraine war poses risks to gas supplies across Europe and the UK.

The tight days on the UK energy grid will most likely be in January.

National Grid is taking steps to minimise the impact to electricity customers in the UK if supplies are disrupted.

The government has limited household energy bills to £2,500 a year, but despite gas prices falling back, energy bills remain elevated.

Only 14 million households in England, Scotland, and Wales have a smart electricity meter installed.

The Demand Flexibility Service, which offered people the chance to be paid to use less electricity during peak times, was available to only 14 million households with smart meters.

Only 1.6 million households and businesses participated in the scheme during 22 events last winter.

People were asked to avoid high-power activities during the one-hour period.

The amount of energy saved was enough to power almost 10 million homes, but it is not yet known how much money, on average, each household earned.

Suppliers decided how much customers received and whether the money was taken off bills, credited to accounts, or if it could be withdrawn as cash.

Consumers in the south, east, and east midlands of England reduced their demand the most.

National Grid is consulting energy suppliers to improve the service ahead of the winter.