Great Britain’s National Energy System Operator issued a notice requesting extra power supplies to manage demand during extreme temperatures forecast for Thursday evening, as the country entered its third heatwave period. The operator warned of tight electricity margins during peak hours, citing extreme temperatures across Europe and reduced generation availability. Officials stated the measure was a routine system-balancing tool and that no customer supply disruptions were anticipated, though higher-than-average payments to gas power plants remained possible.
The current hot weather follows a significant temperature record set earlier in the month when Norfolk recorded 37.7C on June 27, surpassing the previous June high of 35.6C from 1976. While southern England regions are expected to reach 34C on Thursday, current temperatures are projected to remain below that earlier peak. However, meteorological forecasts indicate the heat will persist over an extended period of approximately 10 days, presenting sustained pressure on energy systems.
Beyond the UK, continental Europe faced compounding energy challenges as high temperatures affected nuclear generation capacity. French state-owned utility EDF reported strain on its reactor fleet, with water temperatures used for cooling becoming problematic. The company indicated it would reduce production at multiple facilities this week, starting with operation of only two reactors, with potential further cutbacks as heat spreads across the region. France and Spain experienced concurrent wildfire activity, with roughly 35,400 hectares burned in France and 55,128 hectares in Spain according to fire tracking systems. Western Europe was navigating its third major heatwave within a six-week span.
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