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National Grid is forecasting that the UK’s peak electricity demand could b ...

National Grid is forecasting that the UK’s peak electricity demand could be less than expected this winter due to a drop in industrial demand. Published figures suggest that this winter’s normal weather peak demand will be around 500 MW less than previously forecast, at 58.4 GW instead of 58.9 GW, and in some weeks peak demand could be down by up to 1 GW. According to National Grid, the revised forecast would also mean electricity producers would be able to meet peak electricity demandswithmore comfort, and the ‘safety cushion’ of surplus generation required (over and above the generation needed to meet demand and normal reserves) may increase. National Grid’s Network Operations Director Chris Train said: ‘over recent years our forecasts have predicted a downward trend in electricity demand because of increased energy efficiency, response to higher fuel prices and increases in local electricity generation. However the actual demand figures are still lower than expected because of the current economic slow-down. In particular we are seeing some larger electricity consumers reducing their production and therefore their electricity use.’
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