Great Britain’s electricity grid operator prepared to make substantial payments for emergency backup power supplies ahead of a near-total solar eclipse expected to occur on Wednesday. The eclipse is anticipated to block up to 95% of sunlight across parts of the country, marking the most dramatic solar eclipse visible in Great Britain since 1999.
The anticipated shortfall in electricity generation stems from two concurrent factors. The eclipse is expected to eliminate between 300 megawatts and 1,100 megawatts of solar power generation. Simultaneously, the fifth heatwave of the summer season is driving increased electricity demand for air conditioning, fans, and refrigeration systems during evening peak hours. The National Energy System Operator initially projected an overall shortfall exceeding 1,700 megawatts compared to peak evening demand, though a subsequent assessment lowered this estimate to approximately 1,200 megawatts.
In response to these conditions, the grid operator issued market notices requesting additional electricity generation capacity. Gas plants became primary sources for emergency supply, with the Connah’s Quay facility in Flintshire agreeing to generate electricity at £875 per megawatt-hour, substantially above the typical market price of just below £212 per megawatt-hour. The grid operator later cancelled its initial alarm, though it continued requesting significant quantities of electricity through interconnections to continental Europe. A spokesperson characterized the warning notice as a routine precautionary measure with no anticipated risk to customer electricity supplies.
Energy officials attributed the supply pressure to broader systemic challenges affecting European electricity markets. Persistent high temperatures across the continent are exacerbating demand while complicating generation capacity, including reduced nuclear output due to low river water levels affecting cooling systems and transmission line constraints from heat. Britain’s largest household electricity supplier encouraged customers to defer use of washing machines and dishwashers during peak evening hours to help manage demand.
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