Britain's winter power safety margin falls to a four-year low while the country leans on French electricity imports

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 October 2026.

Britain's winter power safety margin is set to narrow to 5.9GW, down from 6.1GW last year and equivalent to 9.5% of demand, according to the National Energy System Operator. Growing power consumption driven by data centres, electric vehicles and heat pumps is identified as the key factor behind the squeeze. The country will rely on net electricity imports across the winter, with France the principal source. Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and EU gas storage was only 72% full as of 30 September.

Under last year's methodology, which rated wind farm reliability more conservatively, the margin would have come in at just 5.2GW.

Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie has claimed that Ofgem cannot guarantee supply will hold on the coldest, highest-demand days of winter.

Citizens Advice has warned that bills could rise by £60 a month in the period from January to March.