Smart energy transition “fanciful nonsense”

GMB has said that National Grid is complacent in its claim a smart energy revolution could help secure the UK’s supply and avoid blackouts when power stations close.

Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said:

"Avoiding winter blackouts with a ‘smart energy’ revolution is fanciful nonsense, the smart grid is years away. What is needed to guarantee the lights stay on over the coming winters are new power stations and the go-ahead for Hinkley Point C would be a start given that the coal fired stations are due to close next week.” “It is well known that National Grid's dual role of owner and operator of the electricity transmission system has been under scrutiny and GMB has been calling for the government to take responsibility for some time. However, the electricity supply balance is delicate and the government needs to stop the whispering and come clean with a fully worked strategy that ensures short and long term energy security.” “There are simply too many jockeys on the horse in terms of the responsibility for the UK power supply systems. National Grid is a private company and natural monopoly with the aim to make profits. National Grid has to be told by the UK Government what to do in the interests of consumers.” “Lessons still need to be learned from 4th November 2015 when National Grid had to invoke special measures to keep the lights on. This happened on a not particularly cold day and took place before nine power stations close in 2016. We also have the position where National Grid is using consumers' money to pay firms to stop work in order to avoid winter blackouts, a bonkers policy that only a natural monopoly would dare to implement.”