- Whistleblowers within the National Energy System Operator control room claim they are “flying blind, every minute of every day” as the net-zero race risks blackouts and higher bills.
- The investigation, by the law firm Eversheds Sutherland, is examining claims Neso doctored operational records to dodge freedom of information laws and that its corporate affairs team interfered in control room decisions during last month’s heatwave.
- Fintan Slye, chief executive of the National Energy System Operator (Neso), was originally due to receive “regular updates” on the inquiry under terms of reference published by the company.
- Neso told The Times on July 16 that there would be “no Neso employee involved in, or updated on, the investigation” as it proceeds.
- Internal reports seen by The Times recorded five safety limits being breached on June 23, the largest by 700MW, with “no available pre or post-action mitigation options”.
- A “significant event report” written hours later said: “System constraints were breached and system security was compromised.”
- Michael Shanks, the energy minister, told the Commons on July 15 that “at no point did we come close to a breach” of reserve standards.
- In a letter to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the new energy secretary, she accused Neso of having “misled the press, their own staff, and potentially ministers”.
- Coutinho called the assurance from Neso “a lie — and a very provable one.”
- Slye dismissed the claims at an all-staff meeting on July 13 after whistleblower allegations, stating that “there have been a number of allegations in the media” that are untrue.
A National Grid report has raised alarms about the potential for blackouts and rising energy bills as the UK pushes towards net-zero emissions. Whistleblowers from the National Energy System Operator (Neso) have reported feeling "flying blind" regarding power usage predictions, raising serious concerns about grid reliability.1
The ongoing investigation by Eversheds Sutherland is scrutinizing allegations that Neso manipulated operational records to evade freedom of information laws. Additionally, it is examining claims that the corporate affairs team interfered with control room decisions during a recent heatwave, which put significant stress on the grid.2
In a letter to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, concerns were raised that Neso had "misled the press, their own staff, and potentially ministers." Internal reports have revealed that safety limits were breached on June 23, with one instance exceeding limits by 700MW, and no mitigation options available.58
Despite these alarming reports, Neso's chief executive, Fintan Slye, dismissed the allegations during an all-staff meeting, asserting that claims made by shadow secretary Claire Coutinho were "none of which are true." Energy Minister Michael Shanks also stated in the Commons that there was "no point we came close to a breach of reserve standards."37910
“Whistleblowers within the National Energy System Operator claim they are 'flying blind' regarding power usage predictions, raising concerns about grid reliability. The investigation by Eversheds Sutherland is examining allegations of doctored operational records and interference in control room decisions during last month’s heatwave.”
The Times
