National Grid ESO response to E3C and Ofgem reports into August 2019 power outage


Energy regulator Ofgem and the Energy Emergencies Executive Committee (E3C) have published final reports today into the 9 August 2019 power cut.

National Grid ESO's Craig Dyke outlines our response in the video below.

We operate one of the safest and most resilient power networks in the world and, while we fully recognise the disruption that the outage caused, we are pleased the reports confirm there is no link between our actions and the power cuts and our systems performed as they should.

Since 9 August we have been working hard, in partnership with the E3C and Ofgem, to fully understand the event and the disruption caused. We published our own technical report on 6 September outlining the details of the event, the lessons learned and changes implemented by the ESO, and recommendations for wider industry too. 

We are pleased many of these recommendations are included in the E3C and Ofgem reports, including a review of the Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS). We’ve already begun this review and will update the SQSS industry panel by April 2020. We will continue to work to address the issues raised and make sure that lessons are learned, and any changes made are in the best interests of the consumer.

Read Ofgem’s report

Read E3C's report

Our media statement in full

A National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) spokesperson said:

We are pleased the Ofgem and E3C reports confirm there is no link between our actions and the power cut of 9 August.

We operate one of the safest and most resilient power networks in the world and, while we fully recognise the disruption that the outage caused, our systems performed as they should.

The recommendations included in the reports, many of which we had already made as part of our own final technical report, include a review of the Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS). We’ve already begun this review and will update the SQSS industry panel by April 2020. 

We will continue to work, with Ofgem, E3C and colleagues across the industry, to address the issues raised and make sure that lessons are learned, and any changes made are in the best interests of the consumer.