National Grid ESO publishes 2019/20 Winter Outlook Report
9 Oct 2019 - 2 minute read
The Winter Outlook Report provides National Grid ESO's view of supply and demand for gas and electricity for the forthcoming winter.
National Grid ESO sits at the heart of GB's electricity network and has a unique perspective of the energy landscape. The Winter Outlook forms part of a range of publications on the future of energy, which are aimed at informing and guiding the debate, looking forwards towards the government’s 2050 net zero emissions targets.
Fintan Slye, Director of National Grid ESO, said:
“We manage the system minute by minute to ensure that electricity is always there when its needed. Our latest Winter Outlook report demonstrates our work and shows that for the coming winter we have the right products and strategies in place to balance each network.
It also highlights the changing nature of our energy system as a whole. Last year had the lowest carbon intensity winter on record in terms of electricity generation. If weather conditions are similar this winter, we expect this positive trend to continue and anticipate more records being broken, including increasing levels of renewable generation.
The energy landscape is changing rapidly and there are fundamental changes to energy and society ahead – an increase in cleaner energy sources like wind and solar, and emerging technologies such as battery storage and electric vehicles. Looking at electricity specifically, it’s our ambition to be able to operate the GB electricity system carbon free by 2025, and it’s only through listening to stakeholders, and sharing our insight in reports such as this, that we can move forward toward our goals.”