Great Britain’s National Energy System Operator issued a notice requesting additional electricity supplies to manage demand anticipated during extreme temperatures forecast for Thursday evening. The alert comes as the nation experiences its third heatwave in recent months, with parts of southern England expected to reach highs of 34 degrees Celsius.
Neso indicated that electricity margins would be tight during the evening peak period due to widespread extreme temperatures across Europe reducing generation availability. The operator characterized the alert as a routine measure used to balance the electricity system and stated there was no risk to customer supplies. Officials noted they would continue monitoring conditions and take necessary actions to maintain secure electricity supplies.
The current heatwave follows a particularly severe episode last month, when the UK recorded a provisional high of 37.7 degrees Celsius at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 27, breaking the previous June temperature record of 35.6 degrees set in 1976. While the current temperatures are expected to remain below that recent peak, forecasters predict the hot weather will persist over a 10-day period, potentially extending strain on energy infrastructure.
The situation extends beyond Britain’s borders. French state-owned utility EDF reported that the heatwave was stressing its nuclear reactor operations, which regularly export power to the UK and Germany. The company indicated that output from up to five nuclear plants could be reduced in coming days, as elevated river temperatures used for cooling reactors constrain production capacity.
Western Europe is experiencing its third heatwave within six weeks, with fire services in France and Spain battling significant wildfires. French authorities reported 35,400 hectares burned, while Spain has recorded 55,128 hectares of burned territory according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
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