The UK is on monitor to import a report quantity of electrical energy in 2024, smashing the earlier report from 2021 by 50%. Based on Nuclear Trade Affiliation evaluation of Nationwide Grid Electrical energy System Operator (ESO) knowledge, internet electrical energy imports to Nice Britain totalled a report 9 TWh within the first quarter of 2024, and 14.95 TWh from January by means of the tip of Could.
Web imports have accounted for 15% of GB energy, sufficient for 10.8 million houses. This places Nice Britain on monitor to import almost 36 TWh over the entire yr, 46% larger than the earlier report of 24.6 TWh set in 2021. This is able to 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 knowledge, 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 in the course of the summer time months, which ends up in extra interconnector imports. In its 2024 Summer time Outlook, Nationwide Grid ESO mentioned 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 time, import ranges have been at report highs with June seeing the very best ever proportion of imported electrical energy at 19%, in accordance with ESO knowledge.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Govt of the Nuclear Trade Affiliation, mentioned:
“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 being profitable 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.”
