By Paul Homewood
h/t Joe Public
More green propaganda from the National Grid:
Interconnectors strengthen security of supply by providing a proven, reliable way for electricity to flow between neighbouring countries. These point-to-point transmission cables are at the heart of the transition to a secure, clean, and affordable energy system for consumers in Great Britain and beyond. Interconnectors are doing what they were built to do – keeping the lights on today and helping to power the nation.
https://www.nationalgrid.com/ventures/interconnected
But just how reliable is this imported supply of electricity?
The National Grid fail to make any mention of the findings of the Panel of Technical Experts, PTE, appointed by the government to advise on electricity capacity each year:
Their findings, which only apply to the years 2026/27 and 2027/28, are damning. Apart from Norway, they advise that we can only rely on getting about two thirds of the theoretical capacity of I/Cs, because of the unreliability of the generation at the other end.
The PTE specifically excludes any assessment of political risk, so simply reflect the availability of generation:
During these years projected, Europe will still be heavily reliant on coal and gas for its electricity – 38% in 2022, for instance. When this starts to be scaled back, and Germany’s nuclear shut down, supply will inevitable become much tighter during periods of stress, so even figures of 60% may not be achievable.
The PTE recommend that the National Grid look much more closely at these risks:
I would have thought that this was absolutely necessary before any our energy supply is mortgaged any further to supplies from Europe.