Britain’s power grid may experience its lowest-ever electricity demand in the summer of 2025, driven by increased renewables generation and affordable power imports from Europe, according to the country’s National Energy System Operator (NESO).
The electricity transmission network could operate below 13.4GW at times, surpassing the record low during the June 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns, as reported by Reuters.
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NESO’s summer 2025 outlook, covering April to October, forecasts peak demand at 29.7GW.
Solar power generation reached record highs in March and April, achieving 12.68GW, exceeding Britain’s total import capacity from European interconnectors.
The UK is also set to benefit from power imports due to the availability of conventional power stations.
To manage low demand levels, NESO ensures a minimum continual flow of electricity to maintain balance.
The operator expects there to be sufficient supply to meet demand and operational reserve requirements at all times this summer.
It has placed tools such as negative reserve active power margin notices to help manage grid stability by instructing power plants to reduce output.
Britain’s gas network operator anticipates sufficient supply to meet UK gas demand this summer.
Demand is primarily expected to be met by domestic gas field supplies, imports from Norway and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Total gas demand is expected to reach 29 billion cubic metres (bcm) in summer 2025, compared to 28bcm in summer 2024.
In April 2025, NESO announced plans to reform grid connections, prioritising clean energy projects to unlock £40bn ($52.8bn) of investment annually.
This reform aims to address the backlog caused by “zombie” projects delaying grid access for up to 15 years, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, focusing on economic growth and energy security.
