The UK is on monitor to import a document quantity of electrical energy in 2024, smashing the earlier document from 2021 by 50%. In accordance with Nuclear Business Affiliation evaluation of Nationwide Grid Electrical energy System Operator (ESO) information, internet electrical energy imports to Nice Britain totalled a document 9 TWh within the first quarter of 2024, and 14.95 TWh from January by the tip of Could.
Web imports have accounted for 15% of GB energy, sufficient for 10.8 million properties. This places Nice Britain on monitor to import almost 36 TWh over the entire yr, 46% larger than the earlier document of 24.6 TWh set in 2021. This could be larger than the deliberate output of Hinkley Level C nuclear energy station (25 TWh) and greater than the beforehand deliberate Wylfa Newydd energy station on Anglesey (22 TWh).
Nationwide Grid operates six interconnectors with nuclear from France the main supply of imported electrical energy to the UK. Web electrical energy imports from France to the UK totalled 12.7 TWh final yr in accordance with authorities information, with nuclear making up the majority of that energy. France’s grid is made up of round 70% nuclear. Norway is the second largest exporter of energy to the UK, primarily from hydro.
Interconnectors ship energy to nations with larger costs, such because the UK throughout the summer season months, which ends up in extra interconnector imports. In its 2024 Summer time Outlook, Nationwide Grid ESO stated interconnectors have “higher clearing prices for imports than exports” and that “the higher price in Great Britain means imports are more likely to occur over the summer period.”
Already this summer season, import ranges have been at document highs with June seeing the best ever proportion of imported electrical energy at 19%, in accordance with ESO information.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Government of the Nuclear Business Affiliation, stated:
“Different nations get the roles, and we get the invoice as a result of now we have not invested sufficient in our personal nuclear energy and different sovereign energy sources. That underinvestment leaves us with structurally larger costs than our neighbours, and they’re earning money off our errors.
“The next Government’s drive to net zero means we must start turning that around by approving a raft of new nuclear power stations alongside major renewable investment, so we get the jobs and the energy security for our future.”
