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Our response to coronavirus

Find out how we're working to keep the lights on in Great Britain throughout COVID-19.
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National Grid ESO - preparing for blackout during coronavirus- Man in mask by window in self isolation.jpg

Keeping the lights on throughout coronavirus

As the world tackles coronavirus, we're working hard to make sure the lights stay on.

Find out how we're protecting our staff and why no one should be concerned about their electricity supply as more of us stay at home.

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Keeping electricity flowing throughout the coronavirus outbreak

Millions of people rely on us every day to keep the lights on and since the coronavirus outbreak began we have been working hard to protect our colleagues and continue to deliver safe, secure and reliable electricity.

We have well-developed procedures in place to manage the effects of a pandemic and no one should be concerned about their electricity supply as more of us stay at home.

Please continue to use electricity as you usually would …boil that kettle, tune in to your favourite TV show  …  there are teams of people working 24/7 at National Grid ESO, committed to making sure you can do just that.

National Grid ESO - control room

Changes to our business plans

Given the challenges posed by COVID-19 we will be constantly reviewing our plans and several projects may be impacted. 

Read about the changes to our Forward Plan.

Read about our Winter Outlook.

To view all our operational data, visit the National Grid ESO Data Portal.

Stay in the know

For latest news and updates follow us on:

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If you need information about the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, visit:

BBC News 

GOV.UK 

World Health Organisation

Ofgem

Keeping the lights on

Winter Outlook 2020/21

National Grid ESO – Winter Outlook Report 2020 – Flipped sea with flowlines

Winter Outlook 2020

The Winter Outlook 2020/21 is one of our suite of insights documents designed to support the industry by providing useful data and inform future industry planning.  

The report document is supported by a data workbook available to download here.

Download report

National Grid ESO Control Centre - employee at computer

How we work with the electricity market to balance supply and demand

We make sure the supply of electricity from the market always matches demand. It’s what we call ‘balancing’ the system.

Find out how our Control Room communicates with the electricity market to do this.

Read article

National Grid ESO - Coal fired Power Station

How does the ESO manage low demand?

We make sure demand equals supply 24/7 and if things ever fall out of balance, we will see power cuts.

Find out what we do if too much electricity is coming into our system.

Read article

Lockdown insights

What trends are we seeing in electricity in Great Britain?

Is lockdown changing our TV viewing habits?

We look at the effect the coronavirus lockdown is having on how we watch TV and the electricity grid.

Read the article

National Grid ESO - is our electricity greener during coronavirus lockdown - mother in garden with child ESO : Electricity explained

Is our electricity greener in lockdown?

14 April 2020

Most people would assume that if there is less demand for electricity, more of the country can be powered by renewable electricity, and whilst this can be the case, it isn’t always.

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National Grid ESO - Battersea power station ESO : Electricity explained

Is it easier to deal with too much or too little demand?

14 April 2020

Peaks, troughs and fluctuations in demand are something we’re used to dealing with and one of the many situations we plan for to keep the system operating smoothly, but which scenario is easier to deal with?

Read article
National Grid ESO - Power cuts explained - regional black out ESO : Balancing the grid

What does lockdown mean for electricity in Great Britain?

31 March 2020

Our control room experts explain the effect that reduced demand for electricity is having on Great Britain's network, and why expert operation of the system is needed whatever the level of demand.

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Colleagues and communities

Profiling our colleagues and the ESO community fund

National Grid ESO - close up view of woman working from home ESO : Our people

A day in the life of a Performance Review Manager

14 January 2021

How do we review and bring to life the actions our control room takes? Spend a Day in the Life of Hannah Kernthaler in our latest profile.

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National Grid ESO Autumn Forrest in the sun ESO : Our people

Our support for communities during COVID-19

18 May 2020

Read how we've been supporting our colleagues and charities that matter to them during the COVID-19 pandemic

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National Grid ESO - Cian innovation engineer ESO : Our people

A Day in the Life of an Innovation Strategy Manager

4 December 2020

Find out how Innovation Strategy Manager Cian helps us with our ambition of operating a zero carbon electricity system

Read article

Find out more about what we do

National Grid ESO - what we do - light bulbs on a string

What we do

We keep Britain supplied with the electricity it needs by making sure supply and demand are in perfect balance every second of every day.

Find out more

National Grid ESO - Electricity Explained - man and child reading under a tent

Electricity Explained

Curious about carbon intensity? Want to be an electric car expert? Learn about some common energy terms at our Electricity Explained hub.

Find out more

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