Following a surge in energy prices and an increase in irregular wind and solar power, the National Grid has revealed that last year they spent a record £4.2bn on balancing payments. In order to ensure that supply matches demand, the company has had to take measures of importing power from abroad, shutting off wind turbines, and increasing the activity of gas stations. Subsequently, costs are added to consumers’ bills, driving the cost-of-living crisis and result in households to struggle to keep up with costs. The Nuclear Industry Association said that this is the first time the National Grid’s balancing costs have gone over £4bn and highlights the need for more stable forms of power.

Mandip Bhamra, the Head of Renewables at the nation’s leading sustainability and energy-saving platform, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, has outlined the importance of wind and solar power amid National Grid’s record spending:

“Solar and wind are truly clean energy sources – but its about when people need power. Generation of wind turbines is year-round but inconsistent, and the vast majority of solar generation comes in the summer. In the winter there will always be a shortfall, we are then faced with the problem of oversupply and under supply.

“Resorting to nuclear is suggests a lack of imagination – we need to invest in our under-developed energy infrastructure. As homes and businesses decarbonise, opting for solar, battery, heat pumps and EV, there will be an increase demand on electricity. With Distribution Network Operators (DNO) applications on the increase, we need to invest in infrastructure in order to accommodate the demand in renewable energy installations. This will be key in the race to net zero.”