As temperatures soared across Britain and wider Europe, the body that oversees the nation’s energy network issued an urgent appeal for more electricity generation—a first for a UK summer, according to the operator.
The call comes as extreme heat drives up demand for power while simultaneously reducing the efficiency of solar panels, compounding the strain on the system. The operator warned that the combination of increased air conditioning use and diminished output from solar farms could push the grid to its limits.
“UK grid operator appeals for more power generation as heatwave raises demand and cuts solar panel efficiency.”
With no immediate relief in sight from the scorching weather, the plea highlights the growing challenge of keeping the lights on during heatwaves—a problem once associated only with winter cold snaps. The grid operator has not specified how quickly additional generation would be needed or which sources it expects to fill the gap, but the appeal marks a significant moment for energy security in a warming climate.